
THE MEETING HOUSE, (OLD SOUTH,) 1763. 
And as it appeared in 1776. 



WORCESTER 



IN THE 



WAR OF THE REVOLUTION: 



EMBRACING THE 



ACTS OF THE TOWN 



FROM 1765 TO 1783 INCLUSIVE, 



AVITH AN 



APPENDIX. 



Br ALBERT A. LOVELL. 




WOECESTER, MASS.: 

Pkinted by Tyler tfc Seagrave, 442 Main Street, 

Spy Building, opposite City Hall. 

1876. 



Entorud acoonling to Act of Congress in 1876, 

By A. A. LOVELL, 

In the Office of Librariau of Congress at Washington. 



PREFACE. 



Perhaps it is unnecessary for the writer to state that this is 
an unpretentious work. He has endeavored to tell the story 
of Worcester in the Revolution, as much as possible, in the 
language of the men and documents of that time. Pie is well 
aware that some of the facts narrated have become twice told 
tales, but he flatters himself that by far the greater portion, 
which has heretofore lain buried in dusty nooks and corners, is 
now published foi* the first time. 

In these busy times, when the thoughts and energies of the 
people are directed in so great a degree to the pursuit of wealth, 
comfort and enjoyment, it cannot be otherwise than profitable to 
pause and look back upon the acts of those whose wisdom, 
foresight and self-denial, laid the foundations of that prosperity 
which we their descendants enjoy-"-to spend a while with them 
and catch the inspiration of liberty and freedom from a con- 
templation of their sacrifices and sufferings— that we be not de- 
generate sons of worthy sires. 

There is much material accessible for an exhaustive history 
of Worcester daring this j^eriod of its existence, some of which 
is carefully preserved, some hidden in the rubbish of garrets and 
closets, soon to find its way to market at a pittance per pound ; 
and other still floating down through the closing years of a 
century in tradition, soon to be lost in distance, and buried in 
oblivion. 

Worcester has a revolutionary history to which her sons may 
point with pride ; and " by honoring the parent, the child honors 
himself." 



4 Preface. 

The Work of collecting and compiling, \Vas entered into by. 
the author through a natural taste for the gathering of me- 
morials of the past, without the most distant thought of pub- 
lishing any of the results of his labors ; but with a feeling, that 
at the close of a century of the nation's life, when our thoughts 
naturally revert to the days of its birth, those who shall honor 
him by a perusal of these pages will overlook all shortcomings 
and demerits, he has yielded to solicitation, and presents this 
volume to a forbearing public. 

He takes great pleasure in expressing his obligations to IMr. 
Samuel F^ Haven, Librarian of the American Antiquarian So- 
ciety, Mr. Edmund INI. Barton, Assistant Librarian, Mr. Daniel 
Seagrave, Rev. George Allen, Mr. Samuel Smith, City Clerk, 
and others, for many favors received at theip hands. 

Worcester, May 15, 1876. 




TABLE OF CONTENTS. 



CHAPTER I. 

Page. 

Worcester ;it breaking out of the Revolutionary War — Population — Valua- 
tion — Means of postal communication — General aspect of town — Roads 
— Gallows and Stocks — Notices of eminent men and their residences- 
Common and burial ground — The Old South Meeting house, " 9 

CHAPTER II. 

State of Public opinion previous to the war — Instruclions to the Repre- 
sentative to the General Court concerning the Stamp Act in 1765, and 
against slavery in 1767 — Agreement not to buy or use any article that 
had paid a duty, 1768 — Committee of Correspondence chosen in 1773 — 
Formation of the American Political Society in 1773, together with its 
proceedings up to its dissolution in 1776 — Action of the Town on the 
Tea Act, 1774 — Protest of the Tories to this action — Instruction to 
Representative concerning the Tea question — New Town Meeting 
called by the Tories to reconsider instructions — Great battle at the 
Polls and victory of the Patriots — Long protest of the Tories clan- 
destinely entered on records of Town — Town Clerk obliged to ex- 
punge the same in open meeting, by dipping his fingers in ink and 
drawing them over the page — Recantation of 43 of the 52 Tories, 17 

CHAPTER III. 
The Port Bill — The Mandamus Councillors — Preparation for armed resist- 
ance — Court suspended — Recantation of Mr. Campbell — Instruction to 
Representative to General Court and Delegate to Provincial Congress 
— Action of the Committee of Safety concerning Supplies, Arms, Am- 
munition, &c., — Drilling of the Minute Men — Call "to arms!" '"to 
arms!" April 19, 1775 — March to Boston — Press of Isaiah Thomas re- 
moved to Worcester — Letter of John Hancock to Committee of Safety 
— Tories severely looked after — Worcester men at Bunker Hill — In- 
struction to Delegate to Provincial Congress — Dr. Willard's Recanta- 
tion, ___._-._..-. 43 

CHAPTER lY. 
Col. Ward's Regiment petition the General Assembly concerning the tories 
— The tories address Gen. Gage on his departure for England — Clark 
Chandler committed to jail for assisting a prisoner of war to escape — 
He petitions the General Court and Committee of Safety for enlarge- 
ment — Town voted to sustain the measure if Congress should declare 
the American Colonies independent — Troops armed and forwarded to 
Boston, New York and Canada — The price of Bohea Tea and otiier 
articles fixed by Congress, -....--- 08 



6 Contents. 

c n A r T E R V . 

Declaration of Independence — Subscciuent celebration of the event — Calls 
for more troops promptly met — New York sends its tories to Worces- 
ter jail — Address of Committee of Correspondence recommendinir 
milder measures concerning suspected persons— One-seventh male in- 
hal)itants drafted — Escai)e and capture of a portion of the New Yoik 
captives — Town excited because of change of basis of Representation 
to General Court — Bounty voted to recruits — Money raised by gene- 
ral tax — Tories prosecuted — Soldiers march to the relief of Northern 
Ai'my — 'Another (h-aft — ^A company inarch to oppose Burgoync — Bur- 
goyne's captive army pass through town — Town voted to approve of 
Confederation of States — 'Town voted not to approve Constitution rec- 
omended for State— Banishment and confiscation of the property of 
certain tories, ----------- 81 

CHAPTER VI. 

Convention to consider the (juestion of Finance — Action of the town 
thereon — -County Convention for the same purpose and its proceedings, 
fixing prices of labor and produce — Delegates elected to a Constitu- 
tional Convention — Further requisition for men and means answered — 
Bill of Rights and Constitution accepted, with some exceptions — First 
election under the Constitution — More men and provisions supplied 
for the army-^Worcester thinks she has contributed more money and 
men than her proportion — Surrender of Cornwallis — Jubilation — In- 
structions to Representative on grievances, ----- 94 

CHAPTER VII. 
Slavery abolished by decision of the Court at Worcester — Treaty of Peace 

— Celebration — The question of absentees and refugees considered, 105 

APPENDIX. 

Town Officers from 1774 to lT83j - - 115 

Jury List for 1776, - - - . II7 

List of Voters, 1775, ----.----- 118 

Roll of Capt. Timothy Bigelow's Company of Minute men, - - 110 

Roll of Benjamin Flagg's Company of Minute men, . . - - 120 

Roll of men from Worcester under Capt. Jonas Hubbard, - - - 120 

List of men in Col. Thomas Craft's liegimeut of xVrtiliery, 1775, - - 121 

Men from Worcester in other Companies, 1775, ----- 12I 

Roll of Capt. William Gates' Company, 177(5, 121 

Men from Worcester in Col. Thomas Craft's Regiment of Artillery, 177(5, 122 

Ljist of men in Col. Thomas Craft's Regiment of Artillery, 1777, - - 122 

Roll of Capt. David Chadwick's Comi)auy, 1777, ----- 12;J 

Nine Months' men, 1778, - . . - 12;? 

Men from Worcester in Continental Service, 1778. - . - - ii>4 

Nine Months' men, drafted in 1779, - - - - - - - 124 

List of Six Months' men — Resolve of June, 17S0, - - - - 124 

List of men from Worcester, 1780 — Returned Dec. 27, 1781, - - 124 

Six Months' men from Worcester, 1780, - - 124 

Memorandum from Army Books, 1780, ------- 125 

Memorandum from Army Books in Land Olllce, . - - _ 125 

Quaint Advertizements of the Period, .--.-- ]2(> 

Prices of Pews in Meeting House, 17G3, -...-- 128 



CHAPTER I 



Worcester at breaking out of the Ilevolutionary War — Population — Valuations-Means of postal 
communication — General aspect of town — HoaJs — Gallows and Stocks — Notices of eminent men and 
their resiiences — Common and burial ■'round — The Old South Meeting house. 



It would be desirable, if it were possible, to present a 
full and detailed representation of Worcester as it was 
at the time of the Revolution, but as the records of that 
day are meagre, and we so far removed in point of time, 
it is impossible to produce any full and complete picture 
of the town at that period of its existence. 

At the breaking out of the war in 1775, Worcester 
contained about nineteen hundred inhabitants. Accord- 
ing to a census taken in the year 1763, the population 
was fourteen hundred and seventy-eight, and by a cen- 
sus taken in the year 1776, it was found to be nineteen 
hundred and twenty-five, an increase in thirteen years 
of four hundred and forty-seven, or nearly thirty-one 
per cent. In 1790 the population was ascertained to be 
two thousand and ninety-five, an increase in fourteen 
years of nearly nine per cent. 

As to valuation, we find by the list for the year 1772, 
the town ranked fourth in the County, being exceeded 
by Lancaster, Brookfield and Sutton. According to the 
list of 1778 it then ranked third, Brookfield occupying 
the first place on the list and Lancaster the second. 
From the returns of the Assessors in the office of the 
Secretary of State, the following estimate of the prin- 
cipal articles of property for the year 1781 is obtained, 



lO Hisioiy of Worcester in 



Anno Dom. 
1775 



viz: houses 21G, burns 207, shops 11, other buildings 
32. Live Stock — cows and steers 778, horses 277, oxen 
o6o, swine 212. Lund — tilluge 1034 acres, mowing 
1074, meadow 1606, pasture 2881, woodhxnd and uniu]- 
proved 14,012. 

The means of communication between Worcester and 
the other parts of the Province previous to the war and 
during its continuance were very hmited. \\\ 1774, tlie 
only regular communication was by a post going once a 
week between Boston and Hartford, occupying six days 
in the journey. On the establishment of the Spy in 
the town in 1775 by Mr. Thomas, he made extensive ar- 
rangements for its distribution, sending post riders to 
Cambridge, Salem, Providence, Fitchburg and other 
places. The roads were poor and almost all travelling 
was performed on horseback. On the 15th of Novem- 
ber, 1775, the first post office of the town was estab- 
lished, Mr. Isaiah Thomas being postmaster.^'' 

Perhaps in no way can a clearer idea of the general 
aspect of the town at that time be obtained, than by 
commencing at the northerly end of the village on the 
Boston road, and following that and the main road to a 
point just south of the meeting house, taking note of 
the more prominent land-marks. About a quarter of a 
mile above what is now known as Lincoln Square, on 
the Boston road, on the west side, stood the residence of 
the Hon. Timothy Paine, for man}' years a member of 
the General Court, and a stout government man in the 
controversies in that body during the years which pre- 
ceded the Revolution. Near the residence of Mr. Paine 
a short distance below Avas the house of Levi Lincoln, 
Sen., afterwards Governor of the State and Attornev 
General of the United States under President Jefferson. 



*Lincoln's History of AVorcester. 



Anno T)om. 
1775. 



War of the RcvohUion. 1 1 



The grounds connected with this estate were considered 
the finest in the town. Still further down, stood the 
Hancock Arms Tavern, the principal rendezvous of the 
patriots. At this house most of the people in attend- 
ance at the courts were accustomed to stop. It was 
formerly owned by the Hon. John Hancock, and here 
he usually spent a portion of the summer after the 
courts had adjourned, and entertained his friends. South 
of tliis tavern stood the jail built in 1753. This jail 
was during the war crowded with prisoners from the 
British army and tories from this and the other Prov- 
inces. On the north side of the present Lincoln Square 
was the Salisbury Mansion erected in 1770. This house 
is still standing, and is almost the only remaining relic 
of those days which preserves a semblance of its origin- 
al appearance. It has been remodelled to some extent, 
and raised so that it stands a few feet higher than when 
built. As originally constructed it provided a commo- 
dious residence for Mr. Stephen Salisbury and his mother, 
while a portion was fitted for and occupied as a store, 
where he carried on an extensive business, after having 
abandoned the one which stood on the site now covered 
by the Worcester & Nashua Railroad Station. On the 
south side of the Square was the blacksmith shop of 
Timothy Bigelow. 

The only roads converging at this point at that time 
were the Boston road, now Lincoln street, the road now 
known as Salisbury street, the road which is now Sum- 
mer street, and the main road of the village. On the 
west side of the main road, on the elevation occupied at 
the present day by the Court Houses, stood the Court 
House of that day, erected in 1751, a wooden building 
36 feet by 40 in size. It was afterwards removed to 
make room for a buildinii: furnishinir laruer accommoda- 



I 2 History of Worcester in 



Anno Doin. 
1775. 



tions, and now stands at the Intersection of Franklin and 
Green streets. 

The main road, as it left what is now the Square. \vas 
very narrow, the bank on the west side extending much 
farther east than at present. The road to the Court 
House left the main road near where the Central Church 
now stands, and terminated at the Court House, although 
there was a path down the hill toward the Salisbury 
Mansion, in the rear of a store which stood near where 
the bank wall now terminates. In front of the Court 
House was the pillory, whipping post and gallows. This 
gallows was not used for executions but for the punish- 
ment of those guilty of minor crimes, the culprit being 
compelled to sit with a rope around his neck in view of 
passers by. The stocks w^ere located near the meeting 
house, (the Old South,) and stored in that building when 
not in use. 

Nearly opposite where School street now enters Main, 
w%as the store of Dr. Elijah Dix, where as physician and 
drut''<j'ist, he maintained an extensive practice and thriv- 
ing business. To this man are we of the present gener- 
ation greatly indebted lor the magnificent elms which 
grace our principal street, he planting many himself and 
inducing others to do the same. 

At the foot ot the present George street lived Mr. 
Nathan Baldwin. The house which he occupied is still 
standing on its original site, and now presents the same 
general appearance as when built. Mr. Bakhvin was a 
master spirit of the patriotic party in Worcester. He 
was an able writer, and the author of most of the public 
documents issued by the town and Committee of Cor- 
respondence. In his religious views he was a Deist; and 
John Adams, afterwards President, speaks in one of his 
letters of Nathan Baldwin as one of three notable dis- 



Annn Dom. 
1775. 



War of ike Revolution. 1 3 



putants in a religious controversy which raged in town 
when he came here to live in 1755. 

On the opposite side of the road, on land occupied at 
the present day by the Bay State House, was the Hey- 
wood Tavern, owned at this time by Daniel Hej^wood, a 
young man under age, to whom it was bequeathed by 
his grandfather, Dea. Daniel Heywood. Upon the in- 
corporation of Worcester County in 1731, a chamber in 
this house was fitted up and used for a jail until the 
County provided a building for that purpose. 

Farther south, on the west side, where the Lincoln 
House now stands, stood the King's Arms Tavern, kept 
by the widow Mary Sternes. It was, in the early days of 
the war the tory head-quarters, and the place where most 
of the schemes for defeating the purposes of the patriots 
were devised. In front of this tavern was a sign post 
on which swung the sign of the King's Arras, but which 
was taken down and burned at the first celebration of 
the Declaration of Independence in this town in 1776. 

On the opposite side, where Clark's block now stands, 
was the Sun Tavern, and in front a swingins: ^mw on 
which were represented the setting sun and a dying oak. 
Next south of this tavern stood the house of Col. John 
Chandler, for many years Town Clerk and a strong sym- 
pathizer with the British Government, and adjoining was 
the store of that gentleman, located on what is now the 
corner of Main and Front streets. This buildino- — " the 
Old Compound " — was removed about twenty-five years 
since. 

Just south of the junction of the Hardwick road, 
now Pleasant street, with the main road, stood a fine elm, 
one of the largest in the town; and standing back some 
distance, with a large unenclosed yard in front, was the 
house of John Nazro, a prominent merchant. This house 



Anno T)om. 



14 History of Worcester in { '^""J-^ 

was Ibnnerly the residence of Rev. Isaac Bnrr, Pastor of 
the Parish from 1725 to 1745. Precisely opposite the 
present City Hall was situated Mr. Nazro's store. 

On the liardwick road, where High street now joins 
Pleasant, stood a small red house which was occupied by 
Mr. Isaiah Thomas after his arrival in Worcester. 

On what is now Front street situated between the 
present Salem and Trumbull streets, was the house of 
Capt. Palmer Goulding, a prominent citizen, and for some 
years Town Clerk. 

On the spot now occupied by the new Union Depot, 
where at that time was- a sandy knoll, took place in the 
year 1778, one of the most remarkable executions for 
capital crime which ever occurred in this country. Four 
malefactors, one of whom was a woman, were here exe- 
cuted for the crime of murder. About five thousand 
people from this, and neighboring towns, thronged to 
witness the spectacle. A terrible thunder shower oc- 
curred at the tiuie, and everything conspired to produce 
" a compound scene of horror." The details were pub- 
lished in the Spy of Aug. 6, 1778. 

Returning to the Main road, south of the store of Mr. 
Nazro, on the site now occupied by Taylor's block, was 
the residence of Col. Gardner Chandler, High Sheriff of 
the County. This house was considered one of the 
finest in the interior of New England. Near the pres- 
ent junction of Portland and Park streets, stood the 
house of Rev. Thaddeus Maccarty, pastor of the Parish. 
At the point where Park street now joins Main, stood 
the residence of James Putnam, Esq., the able lawyer 
and the last Royal Attorney General of the Province. 
After Col. Putnam fied to Boston, the house was occu- 
pied by Joseph Allen, Esq., and still later by Mr. Samuel 
Flagg. It was destroyed by fire in 17SG. Just south of 



Anno Bom. 
1775. 



War of the Revolution. 1 5 



this house was Jones' Tavern, another rendezvous of 
the tories. 

The territory lying between the store of Col. Chand- 
ler on the north-west, the house of Palmer Goulding on 
the east, the houses of Rev. Mr. Maccarty and Col. Put- 
nam on the south, and the main road on the west, was 
the Common, on the east side of which was the public 
burial place of the town, surrounded by a high stone 
wall. The Common at that day was not enclosed, and 
was used as a common in the most literal sense. Trav- 
elled ways, some of which had been established by the 
authority of the town, and some by use, traversed this 
tract in all directions. On the west side near the main 
road, on the same site it now occupies, stood the meet- 
ing house built in 1763. The original dimensions were 
TO feet in length by 55 in width, with a tower on the 
north surmounted by a spire 130 feet high. The erec- 
tion of this building was commenced June 21, 1763, and 
although not fully completed, the first public service 
was held Dec. 8, of that year, that being the day set 
apart for Thanksgiving in this Province. The principal 
entrance was through a porch on the west side, and 
there was also an entrance through a porch at the south 
end, and another through the tower on the north. The 
porch at the main entrance had wide double doors in 
front and sinii^le doors at the sides. The entrance through 
the tower was also by doors on the three sides. The floor 
of the meeting house was provided with sixty-one large 
square box pews''' and seven long pews on each side of 
tiie broad aisle, — these last being free. Those at the 
right on entering were assigned to the men, and those 
on the left to the women. In front of the pulpit was 
the pew for the deacons, and the pew for the aged and 



*See Appendix page 128. 



Anno Dora. 



1 6 History of Worcester in j ^°"' 

deaf. Over the pulpit was the high sounding board with 
its pendant dove. On three sides was a very deep gallery, 
the pulpit being raised high enough to be in full view of 
every seat. The pew at the right of the pulpit on the 
floor of the house, was assigned to the Hon. John Chand- 
ler, as being the most desirable, in acknowledgment of 
his g-enerous contribution of <£40 towards the erection of 
the edifice. The building committee consisted of John 
Chandler, Jr., Joshua Bigelow, Josiah Brewer, John Cur- 
tis, James Putnam, Daniel Boyden, James Goodwin, Jacob 
Hemraenway, David Bigelow, Samuel Moore, and Elisha 
Smith. They were originally limited by the town to an 
expenditure of £1200, but the entire expense amounted 
to .£1542. No change took place in the exterior until 
the year 1827, when the west porch was removed, wings 
added to the tower, and various minor alterations made. 
In 1834, the south porch was removed and 25 feet in 
length added to the building ; the addition preserving 
the general style of architecture as it was at the time 
the church was first erected. In 1871, the outside was 
modernized, five long windows being substituted on each 
side in place of the eighteen which had lighted the 
building before, leaving but little to remind us of its 
former np- pearance. 

Having taken this hasty glance at Worcester as it was 
at the time of the Revolution, we can realize, to some 
extent, the changes of a century. A small town of less 
than two thousand inhabitants has become a thriving 
city of nearly fifty thousand, with a total valuation of 
forty-nine millions of dollars. Its village highway is to- 
day a busy thoroughfare, and scarcely aught remains of 
one hundred years ago. 



Plan of the Lower Floor of the Meeting-House, 1763. 



No 21. j No. 20. No. 19. 

Robert Barber, i Elishu and Daniel and 

Rol)ert Smith. Abel Ileywood. 



No. 22. 
Jacob 

Chamberlin. 



No. 23. 
Elisha Sinitlijr, 



No. 24. 
Isaac Qleason. 



No. 25. 
Samuel Miller. 



North 

Eulranco thro' 

the Tower. 



No 26. 
Josiah Peirce. 



No 2". 
Ezekiel How. 



No. 28. 

Samuel Hunt, 

Assignee of 

Thomas Cowdin. 



No. 29. 
Israel Jeunison. 



No. 18. 
John Chandler, Esq. 



No. 48. 


No. 49. 


No 


50 




James 


Daniel 


Town' 


^ V 


ew. 


McFarland. 


McFarland 









-E'TJTL.FXrr. 



Seat for the 
.\Ked and Deaf. 



Deacon's Seat. 



No. 51. 
John Curti.s. 



No. 52. 

Jo.-iiah 
Brewer, E.^q. 



No. 58. 
Luke Brown. 



No. 54 
William 

McFarland. 


No. 55. 
Benja Flagg 


No 5fi 
Matliew Gray. 


No. 57. 
James 

Goodwin 


1 

No. 58. 
Isaac Moore. 


No. 59. 
Joseph Blair. 


No. 60. 
Jona. & 

David Fish. 


No. 61. 
Robert 

Gray, Jr. 



No. 30. 
Jacob Holmes. 



No. 31. 
Samuel Mower. 



No. 32. 
John 
Chandler, Esq. 



No. 33. 
Timothy 

Paine, Esq. 



No. 17. I No. ID. I No. 15. 

Jacob Francis j Josiah 

Hemmeiiway Harrington Harrington 



No. 14. No. 13. 

Daniel Ward. Tyrns Rice. 



No. 45. No. 46 

James Putnam. Esq Gershom and 



No. 47. 
Jonathan Stone. 



Comfort Rice. 



No. 44 
Thos Stearnes. 



No. 43. 
John Boy den. 



No. 42. 
Daniel Boy den. 



No. 34. 
Ebenezer 

Lovell. 



No. 39. 
hn Chadwick. 


No 40 
David 

Bancroft. 


No. 41. 
Samuel Curtis. 


No. 35. 
Asa Moore. 


No 36. 
John Mower. 


No 37. 
Thoma.^ 

Palmer. 



Entrance 

by Front or We't 

Porch. 



No. 1. 
Nathaniel 

Adams. 



No. 2. No. 8. I No. 4. 

Gardner James Brown. Thomas 

Chandler, Esq. 



Wheeler. 



/ 

No. 


12. 


Joshua 




Whitney. 


! NO. 


11. 


1 Nath'l 


Moore. 





No 


1 
10. 


Nathan 


Perry. 




No 


9 


Jo> 


iahClark.Jr. 



Entrance 

through South 

Porch. 



No. 8 
James Nichols. 



No. 7. 

John Chandler, 

Esq. Assignee of 

Asa Flagg 



No. 6. 
John Maban. 



No. 5. 
.lohn Chandler, Ksq 



CHAPTER II 



State of Public opiniou previous to the war — Instructions to the Representative to the General 
Court concerning the Stamp Act in 1765, and against slavery in 1767— Agreement not to buy or use 
any article that had paid a duty, 1768 — Committee of Correspondence chosen in 1778 — Formation 
of the American Political Society in 1773, together with its proceedings up to its dissolution in 
1776 — Action of the Town on the Tea Act, 1774 — Protest of the Tories to this action — Instruction 
to Representative concerning the Tea question — Xew Town Meeting called by the Tories to recon- 
sider instructions — Great battle at the Polls and Victory of the Patriots — Long protest of the 
Tories clandestinely entered on records of Town — Town Clerk obliged to expunge the same in open 
meeting:, by dipping his fingers in ink and drawing them over the page — Recantation of 43 of 
the 52 Tories. 



In taking a retrospective survey of the acts of 
the town and people of Worcester during the War 
of the Revokition, it will be necessary, in order to 
properly understand the bearing of the great ques- 
tions with which they had to deal, the apparently in- 
surmountable obstacles with which they had to contend, 
and, at the same time, to fally appreciate their undying 
attachment to those principles of liberty which finally 
gave birth to the republic, to review their acts and 
doings to some extent during the decade which pre- 
ceded the final appeal to arms. 

In this review we shall see they were loyal subjects 
of Great Britain, having been at all times ready to take 
up arms in defence of the mother country, and in thus 
defending her, w^ere willing to peril both life and fortune. 
But while firmly loyal to King George and his Parlia- 
ment, they could but realize that the chains of slavery 
were being forged for them, and unhesitatingly, yet 
calmly and reluctantly resolved, that loyal though they 
wished to be, that loyalty should not be maintained at 
the expense of the God-given right of freedom. 
3 



1 8 History of Worcester /« 



Anno Dom. 
1765. 



Going back ten years previous to the breaking out of 
hostilities, we find that at a town meeting held October 
21, 1765, Capt. Ephraim Doolittle, Representative to the 
General Court, was instructed to join in no measure 
countenancing the Stamp Act. On the 18th of May, 
1767, at a town meeting, a committee consisting of 
Capt. Ephraim Doolittle, Nathan Baldwin and Jonathan 
Stone reported instructions to be observed by Mr. 
Joshua Bigelow, Representative, as follows : 

First: That you use your influence to maintain and continue that 
harmony and good will between Great Britain and this Province, which 
may be most conducive to the prosperity of each, by a steady and firm 
attachment to English liberty and the charter rights of this Province, 
and that you willingly suffer no invasions, either through pretext of 
precedency, or any other way whatsoever ; and if you find any en- 
croachments on our charter rights, that you use your utmost ability to 
obtain constitutional redress. 

Second: That you use your influence to obtain a law to put an end 
to the unchristian and impolitic practice of making slaves of the 
human species. 

Third: That you use your influence that the pay of sheriffs be so 
regulated that the fees may not be double as much as the service may 
be done for, and that jurymen be not obliged to do service at the ex- 
pense of their own private estates, or be subjected to large fines or 
penalties. 

Fourth : That you endeaver to relieve the people of the province of 
the great burden of supporting so many Latin schools, whereby they 
are prevented from attaining such a degree of English learning as is 
necessary to retain the freedom of any state. 

Fifth : That you inquire into the cause of such general neglect of 
tke militia of this Province. 

Sixth : That you take special care of the liberty of the press, and 
in all matters to have a single eye to the public good, and a watchful 
eye over those who are seeking the ruin of this Province, and endeavor 
to make this Province reciprocally happy with our mother country. 

In 1768 an agreement was signed by the patriotic 
people of the town to the effect, that " as the happiness 



Anro Pom. 
1767. 



War of the Revolution^ 19 



and well being of civil communities depend upon indus- 
try, economy and good morals," and taking into consid- 
eration the stagnation of business, scarcity of money, 
and the heavy debt contracted in the French and Indian 
War, they would use their utmost endeavor in order to 
retain money in the Province, suppress extravagance 
and promote industry, economy and good morals, 
to discountenance the use of all foreign superflui- 
ties, and encourage the manufacturers of the Province ; 
and they resolved, that as Parliam^ent had passed an 
act imposing duties on various articles for the purpose 
of raising a revenue, which they regarded as an infringe- 
ment on their just rights and privileges, they solemnly 
promised and engaged each with the other, to encourage 
our own manufacturers, to avoid paying the tax by not 
buying any European commodity but such as was abso- 
lutely necessary, to trade with no importer or person 
buying his goods of importers, and holding him who 
should break this agreement as dishonored and an 
enemy to the liberties of his country. 

As illustrating the loyalty of the people to the King 
and Parliament. A glance at the report of a committee, 
consisting of William Young, David Bancroft, Samuel 
Curtis, Timothy Bigelow and Stephen Salisbury, will 
suffice. This committee was appointed at a town meet- 
ing held in March, 1773, to consider the contents of 
the celebrated Boston Pamphlet; which committee 
presented an elaborate report at the adjournment in the 
May following. Appealing to the record of the past 
as proof of their loyalty, they declare "the fond affection 
that has ever subsisted in our hearts for Great Britain 
audits sovereign, has ever induced us to esteem it above 
any other country ; and as fond children speak of a 
father's house, we have ever called it our home, and 



Anno Dom. 



20 History of Worcester in \ ^"hts.' 

always have been ready to rejoice when they rejoiced, 
to weep when they have wept, and whenever required, 
to bleed when they have bled ; and in return, we are 
sorry to say, we have had our harbor filled with ships of 
war, in a hostile manner, and troops posted in our met- 
ropolis in a time of profound peace ; not only posted in 
a manner greatly insulting, but actually slaughtering 
the inhabitants; cannon leveled against our senate 
house ; the fortress or key of the Province taken from 
us ; and as an addition to our distress, the commander- 
in-chief of the Province has declared he has not the 
power to control the troops. Nevertheless we are ready 
and willing to stand forth in defence of the King of 
Great Britain, his crown and dignity, and our noble 
constitution, and when called to it, risk our lives ; and 
in that day let him that hath no sword, sell his garment 
and buy one." 

At this meeting a Committee of Correspondence was 
chosen to correspond with committees in the other towns 
in this Province, this committee consisting of William 
Young, Timothy Bigelow and John Smith. 

The origin of the scheme for forming Committees 
of Correspondence is credited by Tudor in his life of 
James Otis, to the Hon. James Warren of Plymouth. 
He communicated it to Samuel Adams who was mak- 
ing him a visit. Mr. Adams consulted with his friends 
on his return to Boston, the plan was adopted, spread 
with rapidity throughout all the colonies, and became 
one of the most powerful means for uniting and direct- 
ing public sentiment in favor of the Revolution. 

At the close of tlie year 1773, a Society was formed, 
which became a most efficient means toward efiectiuij: 
the purposes of the patriots of the town. This organ- 
ization had its origin in the necessity for unity of pur- 



Anno Dom. 



no Dom. j ^r^^ ^jr ^/^^ Revolutiou. 2 1 

pose and action, in counteracting royal influence \ and 
although it existed less than three years, it was, during 
its existence, a powerful medium for carrying out the 
popular will. The prominent part assumed by this so- 
ciety, in the proceedings of the times, would seem to 
justify a reproduction of its Rules and Regulations, 
showing the objects to be attained, the methods of pro- 
cedure, and a partial insight into the customs of the 
period. 

THE AMERICAN POLITICAL SOCIETY. * 

Worcester, New England, Dec. 27, 1773. 

At a meeting held at the house of Asa Ward, at 5 
o'clock in the afternoon, Joshua Bigelow was chosen 
chairman. 

A motion was made and seconded, that a vote be put 
whether the meeting shall be continued from time to 
time, to take under our consideration and debate upon, 
such matters and things as concern ouf rights and lib- 
erties, and whether the members present would enter 
into a society covenant for said purpose under good and 
wholesome rules and regulations. 

Carried Unanimously. 

A committee was chosen, consisting of Nathan Bald- 
win, Samuel Curtis and Timothy Bigelow, to report a 
code of Rules and Regulations, and the meeting ad- 
journed to the 3rd day of January, 1774. At that time 
the committee presented the following, which was ad- 
opted. 

RULES AND REGULATIONS. 

Whereas, at this present time, the good people of this country in 
general (and with resjiect to some particular circumstances the town of 

* From the original records in possession of the American Antiquarian Soci- 
ety. 



2 2 History of Worcester in l^Trs*""' 

Worcester in particular,) labor under many impositions and burdens 
grevious to be borne, which we apprehend would never have been im- 
posed u):)on us, if we had been united, and opposed the machinations 
of some designing persons in this Province, Avho are grasping at power, 
and the property of their neighbors ; for the prevention whereof, and 
the bettter securing our liberties and properties, and counteracting the 
designs of our enemies, we, whose names are hereunto subscribed, do 
by these presents incorporate ourselves into a society by the name of 
The American Political Society, and to meet at some public house in 
Worcester, at least once every month, to advise with each other on 
proper methods to b^ pursued by us, and each of us, respecting our 
common rights and liberties, civil and religious ; and for the regular 
ordering and conducting our said society in their meetings, they shall 
choose some one of the members of said society as a chairman to pre- 
side in said meeting or meetings ; to keep up good order, and an obser- 
vance of the rules hereafter mentioned ; and one other member as a 
clerk, to keep an exact journal of the acts and proceedings of this our 
society, in their said meetings, and for the well ordering our said 
society, the following rules shall be strictly observed and complied 
with by each and every member thereof, viz : 

1st. That no discourse or transaction in any of our meetings shall 
be communicated or divulged to any person or persons not belonging 
to our said society, by any ways or means whatever, (such only except- 
ed as are allowed to be made public by the unanimous vote of our said 
society,) and that if any person or persons shall be guilty of a breach 
of this article, he or they be punished with expulsion from our said 
society. 

2nd. That we will avoid all law suits with all men as much as pos- 
sible in general, and in particular with any or either of the members of 
this our society, and if it shall so happen that a difference shall arise 
between any two or more of the members thereof in any of our meet- 
ings, and the parties cannot settle it to their satisfaction between them- 
selves, they shall submit it to the determination of the society thereon 
or be expelled the society. 

3rd. That each member of the society shall, as he hath opportun- 
ity, promote the interests of every member of this society, in all honest 
ways and methods that he can, without hurting his own or the inter- 
ests of any other member of this society. 

-1th. That in our said meetings, if any member knows of any in- 
frinircnients of the common ri^rhts of maidcind, he shall make the same 
known. 



AnnoDom. j J^^^ ^jr ^/^^ ReVolutioU. 2 7, 

5th. That whenever any member hath anything to offer in a speech 
to the society assembled, he shall address himself to the chairman then 
presiding, and during the time of his speaking he shall not be broken 
in upon or interrupted by any person whatever but by leave of the 
chairman. 

Gth. That in all and every of our monthly meetings, our expenses 
for liqvior, «fec., shall not exceed six pence per man upon an average, 
and in our quarterly meetings, it shall not exceed two shillings per 
man as aforesaid upon an average. 

7th. That each member of the society is debarred the liberty of 
asking, inviting or inti-oducing any person whatever into our company, 
without first having obtained leave of our society for so doing. 

8th. That each member shall constantly attend all our said meet- 
ings, and if any member shall fail of attending, he shall forfeit and 
pay into the hands of the clerk, six pence for the use of the society, 
for such, his non-attendance, and at that rate for every such offence, 
except he can assign reasons for his non-attendance satisfactory to the 
society. 

9th. That every member of our said society shall have full power to 
dismiss himself from said society in the following manner, viz : by in- 
forming them in any one of their meetings, in Avriting, that he will in- 
violably keep all the secrets of said society, as faithfully as if he still 
belonged to it himself and as they desire, but that he desires a dismission 
by a vote of said society, and that it may be entered on the journal of 
the transactions of said society, that he was dismissed by his own de- 
sire. 

10th. That each particular member of this our sai^ society, re- 
posing special trust and confidence in every other member of the soci- 
ety, looks upon himself as bound, and hereby binds himself by the ties 
of honor, virtue, truth, sincerity, and every appellation that is dear to 
him in this life, faithfully and truly to keep and perform for himself, 
each and every of the articles herein mentioned and expressed, to 
all intents and purposes. 

At an adjourned meeting Jan. 10, the following were 
added. 

llth. That there shall be a new choice of officers in said society, 
at each meeting next following a quarterly meeting. 

12th. That no member be admitted into this society but by a ma- 
jority of the votes, and that the vote be by ballot. 



24 



History of Worcester in 



Anno Dom. 
1773. 



13tli. That each of our said meetings begin at five of the clock 
P. M., and not to continue over four hours, quarterly meetings ex- 
cepted. 

14th. That our monthly meetings shall be on the first I\Ionday of 
February, second Monday of March, first Monday of May, June, 
August, September, November and December. 

And that our quarterly meetings shall be on the first Afonday of 
April, July, October and January, and all quarterly meetings to begin 
at two of the clock P. M. 

The origirical membership consisted of thirty-one in- 
dividuals; others joining from time to time, made a total 
membership of seventy-one. 



Joshua Bigelow, 
Benjamin Flagg, 
Thomas Wheeler, 
William Young, 
Timothy Bigelow, 
John Smith, 
Robert Smith, 
Jacob Hemenway, 
Francis Harrington, 
David Thomas, 



Silas Moore, 
Cyprian Stevens, 
Jona. Gleason, 
Samuel Whitney, 
Thaddeus Bigelow, 
John Woodward, 
Benjamin Chapin, 
Jno. Barnard, 
Daniel Harris, 
Phinehas Jones, 
Jacob Holmes, 
Ebenezcr Wiswall, 
Wm. Jennisou Sterne, 



ORIGINAL MEMBERS 

Samuel Woodburn, 
Josiah Pierce, 
Samuel Curtis, 
Jonas Hubbard, 
Joshua W^hitney, 
John Kelso, 
Ebenezer Holbrook, Jr 
Amos Wheeler, 
Nathan Baldwin, 
John Pierce, 
Edward Crafts, 



Ebenezer Lovell, 
Joseph Barber, 
Samuel McCracken, 
David Chadwick, 
James Barber, 
William Dana, 
.Thomas Lyndes, 
Samuel Fullerton, 
William Johnson, 
John Emerson. 



JOINED SUBSEQUENT 

Joseph Ball, 
William Treadwell, 
Ezekiel Howe, 
Jonathan Rice, 
Daniel Beard, 
Ephraim Miller, 
Moses Miller, 
Reuben Gray, 
Asa Ward, 
James Moore, 
Jonathan Stone, 
Thomas Knight, 
Levi Houghton, 
Josiah Knight. 



LY. 



Jonathan Lovell, 
Ebenezer Willingtou, 
Robert Gray, 
Samuel Brown, 
Oliver Pierce, 
Dr. John Green, 
Elijah Harrington, 
Robert Crawford, 
Benjamin Flagg, Jr., 
William Taylor, 
Samuel Miller, 
David Bancroft, 
Phinehas Ward, 



Anno Dom 



i?74°"') War of the Revolutio7i. 25 

Feb. 7, 1774. A debate was had upon the impro- 
priety of choosing any person to any ofhce, who was 
not an open and professed friend to constitutional 
liberty. 

Feb. 25. They agreed upon a plan of procedure for 
the March meetinii;. 

April 4. It was voted " that the Committee of Cor- 
respondence be directed to notify the committees in the 
several towns in the county, that the vote for County 
Treasurer had not been counted at the late Court of 
General Sessions of the Peace, as had been customary, 
and warned them of the dangers consequent thereupon, 
that the people might be on their guard against fraud 
and deception." And also voted that " this society will 
each one bear and pay their equal part of the fine and 
charges that may be laid upon Messrs. Joshua Bigelow 
and Timothy Bigelow, for their refusal to be empan- 
neled upon the Grand Jury, at our next Superior Court 
of Assize, for the County of Worcester, if they shall be 
chosen into that office; and their refusal is founded upon 
the principle that they cannot consistently with good 
conscience and order, serve, if Peter Oliver, Esq., is 
present on the bench as Chief Justice, or Judge of said 
Court, before he is lawfully tried and acquitted from the 
high crimes and charges for which he now stands im- 
peached by the Honorable House of Representatives, 
and the major part of the Grand Jurors for the Avhole 
county join them in refusing to serve for the reasons 
aforesaid." 

A committee w\as chosen to prepare instructions for 
the Representative that should be chosen to serve the 
town in that office, at the annual meeting in May. 

May 2d. It was debated whether the Rev. Mr. Mac- 
carty's additional salary of the sum of £20 be taken off 
4 



26 History of Worcester in P"" 



Anno Pom. 
775. 



for the year. John Kelso was chosen Grand Juror for 
the year. June 10. It was voted unanimously, " for the 
better securing our injured rights and privileges," to sign 
a Solemn League and Covenant, not to purchase any 
English goods, until the port and harbor of Boston shall 
be opened. Jul}^ 4th. Voted that each member of the 
society be provided with powder, flint and lead. Aug. 
1st. Nathan Baldwin, Joshua Bigelow, Benjamin Flagg, 
Dr. John Green, Ebenezer Lovell, Timothy Bigelow and 
Lieut. Samuel Curtis, were chosen a committee to pre- 
pare a plan of action to be pursued at the town meeting, 
to be held Aui?. 22d. Auc^. 18. " Voted that Nathan 
Perry be moderator of our next town meeting, if he 
shall be chosen to that office ; if not, then Josiah Pierce 
shall preside." Oct. 3d. The instructions to Joshua 
Bigelow and Timothy Bigelow, to be adopted at town 
meeting Oct. 4, were considered and approved. Nov. 7- 
David Bancroft and Jonathan Stone were chosen a 
committee to wait upon and present the Solemn League 
and Covenant to the following persons : Eev. Thaddeus 
Maccarty, Col. Gardner Chandler, Dr. Elijah Dix, Ste- 
phen Salisbury and Timothy Paine, Esq. Dec. 5th. 
Joshua Bigelow was instructed to lay before the County 
Congress, the refusal of Gardner Chandler to sign the 
Solemn League and Covenant. Sept. 5, 1775, a com- 
mittee consisting of Samuel McCrackeri, Josiah Peirce, 
David Bigelow, SamuelWoodburn and Nathan Baldwin, 
was chosen to inspect the tories going and coming from 
Lancaster or any other way. In 177G, divisions having 
sprung up on some points, among which was the pro- 
priety of the society controlling the town meetings, and 
assuming powers properly belonging to the Committee of 
Correspondence, an attempt was made to harmonize con- 
flicting opinions, and a committee of in(|uiry was chosen 



\nnn 'Dom. 
1776 



War of the Revolution. 27 



to iDvesti<2:ate the matter and endeavor to effect a com- 
promise. After several meetings, and affairs remaining 
unimproved, and also in view of the fact that a large 
proportion of the members were absent in the army, it 
was voted, May 20, 1776, " that we separate at the next 
meeting," which was probably done, as there is no record 
of the June meetinur. 

While a majority of the people of this town were 
aware that the acts of the British Ministry were tending 
to deprive them of all participation in the affairs of 
government, and to reduce them to a condition of de- 
pendance and servility, there was a formidable party 
composed in great part of the leading citizens of the 
town, persons in high standing who had held high civil 
and military offices, and enjoyed the confidence and es- 
teem of all the people, who considered all acts designed 
to resist the encroachments of the English Government 
as treasonable and rebellious, and who cast the whole 
weight of their wealth, talents and influence on the side 
of royal prerogative. 

The patriots of Worcester found these " internal ene- 
mies" or tories, one of the greatest obstacles to over- 
come ; the royal influence being far more powerful in 
the interior of the Province, than in the eastern coun- 
ties. 

In a warrant issued for a town meeting to be held at 
the meeting house March 7th, 1774, an article was inserted 
calling upon the town " to consider, and act, and vote as 
they may think proper," upon a request of twenty-seven 
of the free holders and other inhabitants of said town, 
relating to an act of Parliament giving a privilege to 
the East India Company to export teas to America, sub- 
ject to duty, to raise a revenue for his Majesty. At this 



28 History of Worcester in ' ^""" "'°'- 



1774. 



meeting, a committee consisting of William Young, 
Josiah Pierce and Timothy Bigelow, was chosen to take 
the article into consideration, and report in two hours. 
At the expiration of that time they presented a report, 
which was accepted. After particularizing some of the 
most intolerable grievances from which they were suf- 
fering, they came to the consideration of the main sub- 
ject named in the article, the exportation of teas to 
America, subject to duty. The committee submitted a 
resolution, which w^as accordingly adopted, refusing to 
buy, sell, or in any way to be concerned with India teas 
of any kind, until the act imposing such a duty be re- 
pealed ; and also resolving, to break off all. commercial 
intercourse with those persons, in this or any other 
place, who should act counter to these resolutions ; and 
further resolving that •' we have an indisputable right, 
at this time, and at all times, boldly to assert our rights 
and make known our grievances, being sensible that the 
freedom of speech and security of property always go 
together. None but the base tyrant and his wicked 
tools dread this liberty; upright measures will defend 
themselves. It is not onlv our indubitable rio-ht but a 
requisite duty, in this legal and public manner to make 
known our grievances. Among the many benefits that 
will naturally result therefrom will be, we hope, that 
important one of undeceiving our gracious sovereign, 
who from the wicked measures practised against us we 
have just reason to suppose has been artfully deluded; 
in defence of whose sacred person, crown and dignity, 
together with our natural and constitutional rights, we 
are ready at all times boldly to risk our lives and for- 
tunes." 

Accompanying this report on the record, is the follow- 
ing protest signed by some of the leading royalists of 
the town. 



Anno Dom. 
1774. 



War of the Revolution- 



29 



We whose names are underwritten, beg leave to enter our dissent 
and protest against the vote of the town of Worcester, relating to the 
fourth article in the warrant for the town meeting March, 1774, and 
do accordingly sign this as protest against the acceptance of the re- 
port of the committee thereon. 

March 7, 1774. 

William Paine, 
Nahum Willard, 
David Moore, 
James Hart, Jr. 
Samuel Moore, 
Cornelius Stowell, 
Andrew Duncan, 
Palmer Goulding, 
Samnel Mower, 



James Putnam, 
John Chandler, 
Daniel Ward, "^ 
John Curtis, 
Daniel Boyden, 
William Campbell, 
Nathaniel Moore, 
Rufus Chandler, 
,John Mower, 



James Goodwin, 
Samuel Bridge, 
David Bancroft, 
Jacob Stevens, 
Jonas Nichols, 
Gershom Rice, Jr. 
Darius Boyden, 
Josejih Blair. 



Although the protest was entered on the record, it 
was rejected by the town. 

At a town meeting held May 16, Mr. Joshua Bio^elow 
was chosen Representative, and a committee consisting 
of Messrs. Josiah Pierce, Samuel Curtis, Stephen Salis- 
bury, Timothy Bigelow, John Kelso, Joshua Whitney 
and Edward Crafts, was appointed to draw up instruc- 
tions for his observance. At an adiourned meeting'- 
held May 20th, this committee reported the follow- 
ing which was adopted. 

Mr. Joshua Bigeloav, 

Sir : As English America is in a general alarm, in consequence of 
some late unconstitutional stretches of power, we are sensible this is the 
most difficult jDcriod that hath ever yet commenced since the arrival of 
our ancestors into this unexplored, uncultivated wilderness ; and beino- 
fully sensible that the wisest-head, uprightest heart, and firmest resolu- 
tion, are the necessary qualifications of the person fit and suitable to 
represent us in the Great and General Court of this Province, the 
present year, we have honored you with our sufi:rages for that impor- 
tant office. Notwithstanding our confidence in your virtue and abilities, 
we think it necessary to prescribe some certain rules for your con- 
duct. 



30 History of Worcester hi 



Anno Dom. 
1774. 



And first, as there is a late act of the British Parliament, to be en- 
forced in America, with troops and ships of war, on the first day of 
June, in order to stop the jjort and harbor of Boston, thereby depriv- 
ing us of the winds and seas, which God and Nature gave in common 
to mankind, we are induced to believe that the Ministers of Great 
Britain, through misinformation, are led to a prostitution of that power 
which has heretofore made Eurojie tremble, to abridge us, their breth- 
ren in this Province, of our natural and civil rights, notwithstanding. 
Exclusive of our natural rights, we had all the privileges and immuni- 
ties of J-Cnglishmen confirmed to us by our royal charter. And as we 
view this hostile maneuver of Great Britain as a blow aimed, through 
Boston, at the whole of American liberties, being emboldened through 
a consciousness of the justice of our cause, we, in the most solemn 
manner, direct you, that whatever measures Gi'eat Britain may take to 
distress us, you be not in the least intimidated, and thereby induced, 
that whatever requisitions, or ministerial mandate there may be, in 
order to subject us to any unconstitutional* acts of the British Parlia- 
ment, to comply therewith. But to the utmost of your power, resist 
the most distant approaches to slavery. But more particularly, should 
the people of this Province, through their representatives, be required 
to compensate the East India Company for the loss of their tea, we 
hereby lay the strictest injunction on you not to comjjly therewith. 
As the destruction of the tea was not a public act, we cannot see the 
justice of a jiublic demand. As the civil law is open to punish the of- 
fenders, we rather think instead of an equitable compensation, it would 
be the means of encouraging riots and robberies, and of consequence, 
render the courts of justice of no use. 

We also earnestly require that a strict union of the colonists be one 
of the first objects in your view, and that you carefully and immedi- 
ately pursue every legal measure that may tend thereto, viz : that 
Committees of Correspondence be kept up between the several Houses 
of Assembly through the colonies ; and that you by no means fail to 
use your utmost endeavor, that there by a general Congress formed of 
deputies from the same ; that so we may unite in some safe and sure 
plan, to secure and defend the American liberties at this important 
crisis of affairs. 

Also, we direct you, as soon as may be, to endeavor that Peter 
Oliver, Usq., be brought to answer to the impeachment against him,' 
preferred by the Representatives of this Province in the name of the 
whole people. 

There are a number of other matters respecting the internal policy 
of this Province, that in our opinion, at this season, require tiie atten- 



Anno Dom. ' 
1774. : 



War of the Revolution. 3 1 



tiou of the legislator; but, at a time like this, when Britain in return 
for the blood we have, on every needful occasion, so freely shed in her 
cause, has reduced thousands, through a wanton exercise of power, in 
our metropolis, to the most distressing circumstances, which, at first 
view, is siifficient to excite in the human breast every tender and com- 
pasionate feeling. This is enough to engross your whole attention* 
Should other matters come under your consideration, in the course of 
the present year, relative to the common and ordinary exigencies of 
government, we make not the least doubt, you will on your part, make 
the peace and prosperity of the whole Province your ultimate aim and 
end, and by that means honor yourself and us, your constituents, in 
the choice we have made." 

Strong efforts were made on the part of the royahsts 
to prevent the acceptance of the report of the commit- 
tee. Col. Putnam, than whom there were few, if an}-, 
abler lawyers in North America, threw the whole weight 
of his influence, learning and ability against its adoption, 
his efforts being seconded by many of the ablest and 
most influential men in town. On the question of the 
acceptance and adoption of the report the adherents of 
the King were defeated. In the hope of obtaining a 
reconsideration of the votes, a petition signed by 43 
freeholders was presented to the selectmen, requesting 
them to call. a town meeting for that purpose, and in 
accordance with this request, the following warrant was 
issued. 

WARRANT. 

Worcester, ss. 

To Samuel Bridge, one of the Constables of the Town of 
Worcester, Greeting. 

"^Vhereas a great number of the freeholders, inhabitants and voters 
in said town of Worcester, preferred a petition to us, the subscribers, 
Selectmen of said Town, setting forth that there have been of late 
divers commotions and disturbances in many towns and places within 
the Province, and many actions of a riotous nature and dangerous ten- 
dency have been done and committed, whereby the property of many 
of his Majesty's good and peaceable subjects has been destroyed, their 



32 History of Worcester in 



Anno Dom 
1774. 



persons insulted, and their lives endangered, more especially in the 
town of Boston, and that by the artful practices of some people there, 
under the pretence of Patriotism, but with evil intentions and making 
unrighteous gain to themselves by the ruin and destruction of others, a 
spirit of opposition to all law, order and good govei-nment has been 
raised and propagated in many towns and places within this Province, 
and some having been so far seduced that they have unwarrantably 
adopted measures subversive of public liberty and the good order of 
the State, and destructive of the peace of society, and in some places 
votes and resolves have been passed which they have seen published, 
approving or justifying the unwarrantable and riotous proceedings of 
the said town of Boston, and have thereby, as they fear, in some 
measures made themselves partakers of their guilt, and wishing to avoid 
the reproach and imputations of any such guiltiness falling on them, 
they desire to bear their public testimony against all riots, unlawful 
assemblies, acts of violence, oppression and robbery, more especially 
would they manifest their utter detestation and abhorence of that un- 
paralleled act of violence, the destruction of the teas, the last winter in 
Boston, and also against the unlawful force and violence in divers rio- 
tous acts committed on the persons and properties of sundry good peo- 
ple in this Province, to whom said teas were consigned, and at the an- 
nual meeting in Worcester, in March last, certain resolves were passed 
and voted to be entered on the records of the town of Worcester, 
against the express will and opinion of the respectal^le inhabitants of 
the town then assembled, and had not the members of the committee 
who made or copied the resolves, voted for their being accepted and re- 
corded, there would have been a majority of the town against the ac- 
ceptance of them, and at that time many of the sober, judicious j^eople 
of this town thought that those resolves were calculated to serve 
seditious i:)urposes, and some of them did therefore enter their protest 
in writing against the said resolves and proceedings, and desired the 
same might be entered and recorded with the records of the town, yet 
hoping to prevent it, the town did unreasonably and hastily vote that 
the said protestation should not be received or recorded, and they have 
reason to apprehend there are many more persons of consideration 
and interest within said town that did not then protest for want of op- 
portunity to do it, that would be glad of a fit time for doing it, and 
discovering their mind on many late acts and proceedings, in a public 
manner, and they are of opinion that were the same matters now again 
t;) be considered and acted on by the town, their proceedings would be 
very (Klferent from what they were before, at least that such a number 



Anno__Boin.j WdT of tJie RevoluHon. i2> 

would now protest, and would before had they been present as are 
owners and jaroprietors of by far the largest share of the interest and 
property of the whole town, and praying that a meeting of the said 
town may be warned that the inhabitants being voters may be assem- 
bled, as soon as may be, and so have an opportunity of declaring their 
sentiments, and acting with freedom in a legal way, with respect to the 
votes, resolves, protestations and so forth, before referred to, and to 
examine into the proceedings and conduct of certain persons in the 
town of Worcester, styling themselves the Committee of Correspon- 
dence for the town, and that their power and authority may be exam- 
ined into, and they required to lay before the town, all their proceed- 
ings and doings as a committee, together or apart, since they have as- 
sumed that character, and that they lay before the town, all such ad- 
vices, letters and intelligence as they or any of them shall have received, 
and from whom they had it relating to public matters, and produce true 
copies of all such advices and letters as they or any of them in the 
course of their correspondence have communicated to others, that the 
town may have a full and fair opportunity of publicly examining into 
their whole conduct and proceedings, as by said petition appears. 

You are therefore hereby required in his Majesty's name, in the 
usual way and manner, to warn and give notice to the freeholders and 
other inhabitants of the said town qualified according to law to vote 
in town affairs, to meet and assemble at the meeting house in said 
town, on Monday the twentieth day of June next, at three o'clock in 
the afternoon, then and there to choose 

1st. A Moderator. 

2d. To act on the several matters and things contained in said pe- 
petition, and to receive the report of the Committee of Correspon- 
dence in i-elation to their proceedings, as therein mentioned, and for the 
town to act on all matters mentioned in said petition, as they may 
judge proper. 

Hereof fail not, and make return of this warrant with your doings 
to some of the Selectmen before said meeting. 

Dated at "Worcester, the thirtieth day of May, in the Fourteenth 
year of his Majesty's Reign, Anno Domini, 1774, 

Timothy Paine, ] 

William Young, I ^ i ^ 

rri -WT r oelectmen. 

Ihomas Wheeler, ( 

JosiAH Pierce, 



34 History of Worcester in {"^"m'?'""' 

In accordance with this warrant a meetinii: wns held 
at the designated time and place, and after a long and 
stormy debate, the patriotic party prevailed. The tories 
still unwilling to yield, offered a protest, which was re- 
fused. The Town Clerk, Mr. Clark Chandler, a firm and 
persistent royalist, entered a copy of this protest on the 
records of the town. Copies were also inserted in the 
Boston News Letter, of June 30, and the Massachusetts 
Gazette of July 4, 1774, being prefaced with the follow- 
ingr note. 

o 

Messrs. Printers : 

If you please you may give the following protestation of ns a 
few friends of truth, peace and order, a place in your paper ; for it is 
believed that we and many others through the Province, have too long 
already held our peace. 

" At a meeting of the inhabitants of the town of "Worcester, held 
there ou the 20th day of June, A. D., 1774, pursuant to an application 
made to the Selectmen by 43 voters and freeholders of the same town, 
dated the 20th day of May last, therein among other things, declaring 
their just apprehensions of the fatal consequences that may follow the 
many riotous and seditious actions that have of late times been done^ 
and perpetrated in divers places within this Province ; the votes and 
proceedings of which meeting are by us deemed irregular aud arbi- 
trary : Wherefore we, some of us who were petitioners for the said 
meeting, and others, inhabitants of the town, hereunto subscribing, 
thinking it our indispensable duty, in these times of discord and con- 
fusion in too many of the towns within this Province, to bear testi- 
mony in the most open and unreserved manner against all riotous, dis- 
orderly and seditious practices, must therefore now declare, that it is 
with the deepest concern for public peace and order, that we behold so 
many, whom we used to esteem sober, peaceable men, so far deceived, 
deluded and led astray, by the artful, craft}^ and insidious practices of 
some evil-minded and ill-disposed persons, who, under the disguise of 
patriotism, and falsely styling themselves the friends of liberty, some 
of them neglecting their own projjer business and occupation, in 
which they ought to be employed for the support of their families, 
spending their time in discoursing of matters they do not understand, 
raising and propagating falsehoods and calumnies of those men they 



Anno Bom. 
1774. 



War of the Revolution. 35 



look up to with env3% and on whose fall and ruin they wi.sh to rise, 
intend to reduce all things to a state of tumult, discord and confu- 
sion. 

And in j^in's^i^nce of those evil purposes and practices, thev have 
imposed on the nnderstanding of some, corrupted the principles of 
others, and distracted the minds of many, who under the influence of 
this delusion, have been tempted to act a part that may prove, and that 
has already proved, extremely prejudicial to the Province, and as it 
may be, fatal to themselves ; bringing into real danger, and in many 
instances destroying, that liberty and property we all hold sacred, and 
which they vainly and impiously boast of defending at the expense of 
their blood and treasure. 

And, as it appears to us, that many of this town seem to be led 
aside by sti-ange opinions, and are prevented coming to such prudent votes 
and resolutions as might be for the general good and advantage of this 
town in particular, agreeably to the request of the petitioners for this 
meeting, — 

And as the town has refused to dismiss the persons styling them- 
selves the Committee of Correspondence for the town, and has also 
refused so much as to call on them to render an account of their past 
dark and pernicious proceedings, — 

We therefore, whose names are hereunto subscribed, do each of us 
declare and jirotest, it is our firm opinion, that the Committees of Cor- 
respondence in the several towns in this Province, being creatures of 
modern invention, and constituted as they be, ai'e a legal grievance, 
having no legal foundation, contrived by a junto to serve particular 
designs and jjurposes of their own, and that they, as they have been 
and are now managed in this town, are a nuisance. And we fear, it is 
in a great measure owing to the baneful influence of such committees, 
that the teas of immense value, lately belonging to the East India 
Company, were, not long since, scandalously destroyed in Boston, and 
that many other enormous acts of violence and oppression have bean 
perpetrated, whereby the lives of many lionest worthy persons, have 
been endangered and their property destroyed. 

It is by these committees also, that papers have been lately published, 
and are now circulating through the Province, inviting and wickedly 
tempting, all persons to join 'them, fully implying, if not expressly 
denouncing the destruction of all that refuse to subscribe those unlaw- 
ful combinations, tending directly to sedition, civil war, and rebellion. 

These and all such enormities, we detest and abhor, and the authors 
of them we esteem enemies of our King and country, violators of all 



36 



History of Worcester in 



Anno Dom. 
1V74. 



law and civil liberty, the malevolent disturbers of the peace of soci- 
ety, subverters of the established constitution, and enemies of man- 
kind : 



William Elder, 
Daniel Ward, 
John Walker, 
Nathaniel Adams, 
William Cami)bell, 
Samuel JNIoore, 
John Mower, 
Joseph Blair, 
Micah Johnson, 
Edmund Heard, 
Thomas Baird, Jr. 
Samuel Mower, 
Samuel Bridge, 
Jacob Chamberlin, 
Andrew Duncan, 
James Goodwin, 
Clark Chandler, 
Israel Jennison, 



Nathan Patch, 
Samuel INIower, Jr, 
Isaac Moore, 
Joshua Johnson, 
John Chandler, 
Gardner Chandler, 
James Putnam, 
Daniel Boyden, 
John Curtis, 
Thomas Baird, 
James Hart, 
Elisha Smith, 
Tyrus Rice, 
Nahum Willard, 
Rufus Chandler, 
Palmer Goulding, 
Adam Walker, 



Daniel Moore, 
James Hart, Jr. 
Cornelius Stowell, 
Israel Stevens. 
Jonathan Phillips, 
Samuel Brooks, 
Isaac Willard, 
Jacob Stevens, 
Joseph Clark, 
Isaac Barnard, 
AVilliam Paine, 
Thaddcus Chamberlain, 
John Chamberlain, 
William Curtis, 
Abel Stowell, 
Daniel Goulding, 
William Chandler. 



The patriots were not aware for .some time, that this 
protest was entered on the records of the town, and 
when this fact was discovered, a storm of indignation was 
aroused, so violent that many of the royalists were 
alarmed for their personal safety. A petition signed by 
Joshua Bigelow and fourteen others, was presented to 
the Selectmen, characterizing the protest as a false and 
scandalous attack on the inhabitants, the committee and 
their doings, charging the Town Clerk with violating his 
trust, and requesting them to issue their warrant for a 
meeting to take the subject into consideration. A meet- 
ing was called August 22d, at which Nathan Perry was 
chosen moderator, and it was voted that Joshua Bigelow ^ 
Jonas Hubbard, David Bancroft^ Samuel Curtis, Jonathan 
Stone, Benjamin Flagg nnd Josiah Pierce be a committee 
to take under their consideration the protest of William 



Anno Pom. j Wav of tJu RcvolnHon. ^j 

Elder, John Curtis and others, and make report to the 
town of then' doings thereon, at the adjournment of 
the meeting. At the adjourned meeting held on the 
24th, the committee reported the following resolutions, 
which were adopted : 

" Whereas, the publication in the Massachusetts Gazette of June 
30th, was made as a protest of the signers of it against the proceedings 
of the town of Worcester, and contains in it a number of groundless 
reflections and aspersions against the inhabitants of the town, for it 
seems to be implied in the direction to the printer, published at the front 
of the protest, that the signers were the only j^ersons in the town who 
were friends to truth, peace and order, and that they were the only per- 
sons, that had any just apprehensions of the ill consequences arising by 
mobs, riots, &c., and that all the rest of the inhabitants acted irregu- 
larly and arbitrarily, notwithstanding the matters voted in said meet- 
ing were fairly considered; and that they were so destitute of under- 
standing as to be led astray, by evil minded persons, who were endea- 
voring to reduce all things to a state of disorder and confusion, there- 
by making themselves the sole judges of what is rule and order, and 
what is not ; and proceed to stagmatize the inhabitants as holding to 
such bad opinions, as to jirevent the town's dieting prudently and for the 
general good. It is also implied in the publication, that this town al- 
lows a number of persons in it, to assume the character of a Commit- 
tee of Correspondence for the town, and to act darkly and pernicious- 
ly with impunity, contrary to rule and good order, and in violation of 
the truth, after, with unparalleled arrogance, representing themselves 
as the only friends to it, they assert that the town has refused to dis- 
miss the persons styling themselves a Committee of Correspondence for 
the town, when, setting aside the inconsistency of the towns dismissing 
persons who had arrogated the character of a committee, and consequent- 
were in fact not chosen by the town, they well knew that the town 
had not been requested, either to dismiss persons styling themselves a 
committee, or those gentlemen so denominated by the town ; neither 
was there any article in the warrant for calling said meeting, to dis- 
miss any persons whatever from oflfice, nor so much as proposed in the 
meeting. There is also a malignity cast upon Committees of Corres- 
pondence in general through the continent, and in particular against 
the committee chosen by this town, without any reason assigned for 
the same, but the opinion of the protesters, too slender a foundation 



38 History of Worcester in j ■^"■J2.i^""^- 

to asperse the character of town officers upon, and they have endeav- 
ored to insinuate into the minds of the public, tliat the men of which 
Committees of Correspondence are composed tlirough tlie Province, 
are a parcel of unprincipled knaves, who are endeavoring to destroy 
the lives and property of the peaceful and well disposed, and also al- 
leging that it is by these committees that papers have been lately pub- 
lished, and that they have wickedly tempted all persons to sign them, 
which they call an unlawful combination, tending directly to civil war 
and rebellion. This town knows of no such paper ; if it be the non- 
consumption agreement, entered and entering into, through this and 
neighboring Provinces, that is pointed at, we take it upon us to say, 
that Ave much approve of the same, that if strictly adhered to it will 
save our money, promote industry, frugality, and our own manufac- 
turers, and tend directly to prevent civil war and rebellion. 

" After offering their opinions of mobs, riots, tumults and disorder, 
and the proceedings of the town, so cruelly and with such temerity, 
as shows them to be destitute of that humanity and christian charity 
which we in all duty owe one to the other, that brand all wdio do not 
join with them, with the characters of ememies of the King and 
country, violators of all law and civil liberty, the malevolent disturb- 
ers of society, subverters of the established constitution, and enemies 
of mankind. And as it appears by the said publication, that the same 
is recorded in the town book, notwithstanding the many aspersions 
it contained against the people of this town, and without the liberty or 
knowledge of the town. Therefore, 

"Voted, that the town clerk do, in the presence of the town, obliter- 
ate, erase, or otherwise deface the said recorded protest, and the 
names thereto subscribed, so that it may become utterly illegible and 
unintelligible. 

" Voted, that the method taken by the leaders, in protesting, and 
procuring a very considerable number to sign the protest who are not 
voters in the town, we think was a piece of low cunning, to deceive 
the public, and make their party a2)pear more numerous and formid- 
able than it was in reality. 

'' Voted, that the signers of said protest, on some of whom the town 
has conferred many favors, and consequently might expect their kind- 
est and best services, be deemed unworthy of holding any town office or 
honor, until they have made satisfaction for their offence to the accep- 
tance of the town, wliich ought to be made as jtublic as the protest 
was. 



An«oDom,[ ^/^^ ^JT ^J^^ RcVoluUoU. ' 39 

" Voted, that as it is highly needful that those of the signers who 
have not made satisfaction as aforesaid, should be known in future, it 
is therefore necessary that their names be inserted as follows, viz : 

James Putnam, William Paine, 

Isaac Moore, John Walkei-, 

Joshua Johnson. 

" Voted, that the following admonition be given to the town clerk, 

" J/r. Clark Chandler: Whereas this town, at their annual meet- 
ing in March last, as well as for several years before, honored you by 
choosing you for their clerk, relying on your fidelity, that you would 
act for the honor of the town, and find themselves much disappointed, 
by your conduct in recording on the town book the scandalous protest 
of- William Elder and others, filled with falsehood and reflections 
against the town, we have just reason to fear you were actuated in the 
matter by unjustifiable motives, and, at this time, exhort you to be 
more circumspect in the execution of the duties of your office, and 
never "ive this town the like trouble of callins; a town meeting anain 
on such an occasion. The town wish to see your behavior such as 
may restore you to their former good opinion of you. 

" Whereas the Committee of Correspondence for this town willingly 
laid all their proceedings before the town, when requested, and it there- 
by appears, notwithstanding the ungenerous abuse heaped on them by 
the protesters, that they have acted with care, diligence and caution, 
therefore, voted, that the thanks of this town be given to the commit- 
tee for their circumspection, and that they be directed to go on, with 
their former vigilance, in corresponding with the other committees of 
the several towns in this Province." 

In accordance with the vote, the clerk was required 
to expunge the recorded protest from the town book, 
which he did by scrolhng with a pen, but the tem- 
per of the meeting was such that it would not al- 
low a word to remain legible, and he was required to 
dip his fingers in the ink and draw them over the first 
page of the protest several times. These pages are an 
interesting memento of the times, and speak in tones 
not to be mistaken, of the stern determination which 



Anno Doin. 



40 History of Worcester in { ^""i?;? 

possessed the patriotic party of the town. They are 
contained in Vol. 4 of the town records, in custody of 
the City Clerk. 

At this meeting, it was voted that the selectmen be a 
committee to receive any article of provisions which the 
inhabitants should contribute for the relief of the poor 
of the town of Boston, and also voted that Daniel 
Beard, Dr. John Green, John Smith, David Bigelow, 
and Samuel Miller, be a committee to take under their 
consideration the acts of the British Parliament respect- 
ing America, and report to the town of their doings at 
the adjournment of the meeting ; and also voted, that 
Jonathan Stone, David Bancroft, Josiah Pierce, Jonathan 
Rice, and David Chad wick be a committee to offer those 
persons who had not signed the agreement or covenant 
for the non-consumption of British goods, an opportun- 
ity to do the same. 

On the evening previous to the meeting of the 22d, 
the protesters, having been notified by the Committee of 
Correspondence that satisfaction would be demanded from 
them by the town, met at the King's Arms Taverq,* 
and signed a recantation of the protest. This docu- 
ment afterwards appeared in the Massachusetts Gazette 
and Boston News Letter of Sept. IStli, and the Boston 
Evening Post of Sept. 19th, 1774, and. was prefaced 
by the note below. Whether the reasons given 
in the preface w^ere those which prompted their 
recantation, or whether the indignation of the people 
caused them to seek refuge from the storm that they 
had aroused, is a question perhaps as yet unsolved. 

"To THE riUNTEHS: The following i-ecautatioii, signed b}^ forty- 
three of the Worcester Protesters, in part serves to show how the now 
more conspicuously corrupt measures of the British Ministry in the 

*t)ii llic site occupii'd at present by the Liucohi House. 



Anno Dom. 
1774. 



War of the Revolution. 



41 



Canada Papist Act, etc., unites all parties. Those among us that have 
heretofore seemed to favor the side of Prerogative, have, since their 
conduct became so barefaced, joined themselves to the jjeople ; all indis- 
criminately flying to arms, and marching to the defence of our country 
when we had intelligence that our brethren were again butchered by a 
merciless soldiery, is a sufficient proof that we are one and all deter- 
mined not to survive our liberties, however, we might before differ in 
some unessentials. 

"WoRCKSTER, Sept. 5, 1774. 
" Whereas, we the subscribers, have given the good people of this 
Province in general, and the inhabitants of the town of Worcester in 
particular, just cause to be offended with each of us in that unguarded 
action of ours in signing and protesting in the Massachusetts Gazette 
of June 30th, a certain piece of our protest against the vote and pro- 
ceedings • of the town of Worcester, on the 20th of June, 1774, 
wherein we acknowledge we have cast cruel aspersions ujion the town 
of Worcester and upon the Committee of Correspondence for said 
town, and upon all Committees of Correspondence throughout the 
Province, for which we are sorry, and take this opportunity publicly 
to manifest it, and declare we did not so well consider the contents, 
and that we had no other intention than to bear our testimony against 
mobs and riots, notwithstanding anything in said protest to the con- 
trary ; and that we have that charity to our fellow townsmen, as to 
believe that they will heartily join with us in this particular, for to the 
best of our knowledge we declare that the present generation in this 
town has never been concerned in any mobs or riots in this or any 
other place. And we hei'eby beg their forgiveness, and all others we 
may have offended ; also that we may be restored to their favor, and 
be made j^artakers of that inestimable blessing, the good will of our 
neighbors and the whole community. 



William Elder, 
Nathaniel Adams, 
Samuel Moore, 
John Mower, 
Joseph Blair, 
Micali Johnson, 
Edmund Heard, 
Thomas Baird, Jr. 
Samuel Mower, 
Samuel Bridgje, 
6 



Gardner Chandler, 
Daniel Boyden, 
John Curtis, 
Thomas Baird, 
James Hart, 
Elisha Smith, 
Tyrus Rice, 
Nahum Willard, 
Rufus Chandler, 
Adam Walker, 



Isaac Willard, 
Jacob Stevens, 
Joseph Clark, 
Isaac Barnard, 
John Chamberlain, 
William Curtis, 
Abel Stowell, 
Daniel Goulding, 
William Chandler, 
John Chandler, 



42 

Andrew Duncan, 
Clark Chandler, 
Israel Jennison, 
Nathan Patch, 
Samuel Mower, Jr. 



History of Worcester in 



Anno Dom. 
1774. 



Daniel Moore, 
James Ilart, Jr. 
Cornelius Stowell, 
Jonathan Phillips, 



Jacob Chamberlain, 
Palmer Goulding, 
James Goodwin, 
Samuel Brooks, 



Of the 52 Protesters, 43 signed the above recantation 
at the Kinor's Arms Tavern ; 5 are mentioned in the 
town vote of Aug. 24, as refusing to give satisfaction, 
leaving 4 unaccounted for, viz : WilHam Campbell, Daniel 
Ward, Israel Stevens and Thaddeus Chamberlain, Camp- 
bell afterwards publicly recanted. Possibly the other 
three gave satisfaction in open meeting, or possibly they 
were not voters, as Implied in the resolutions. 




CHAPTER III. 



The Port Bill — The Mandamus Councillors — Preparation for armed resistance — Court suspended 
— Recantation of Mr. Campbell— Instruction to Representative to General Court and Delegate to 
Provincial Congress — Action of the Committee of Safety concerning supplies, Arms, Anmiunition, 
&c — Drilling of the Minute Men — Call " to arms'." " to arms 1" April 19, 1775 — March to Boston 
— Press of Isaiah Thomas removed to Worcester — Letter of John Hancock to Committee of Safety 
— Tories severely looked after — Worcester men at Bunker llill — Instruction to Delegate to Provia- 
cial Congress — Dr. Wiilard's recantation. 



The rapid succession of oppressive measures enacted 
by the British Parhament and Ministry, served more 
and more to inflame the pubUc mind ; among these, the 
Port Bill, that prohibiting the holding of town meet- 
ings, and the placing the government of the Province 
in the hands of the dependents of the King and inde- 
pendent of the people, were especially adapted to in- 
crease the irritation. 

Among the Councillors appointed by mandamus from 
the King, was the Hon. Timothy Paine of Worcester, a 
man of marked intellect, high culture, good judgment, 
sterling integritj' and upright life, possessing the high- 
est esteem of his fellow townsmen, who had viewed 
with alarm the proceedings of the town and people, 
-which he considered rebellious and treasonable. Not- 
withstanding the high position he had held in the com- 
munity, it was determined that he should not sit as 
Councillor. Accordingly on the 22d of August, the 
people of the neighboring towns Avere summoned by 
the Committee of Correspondence to meet with the 
people of Worcester for the purpose of demanding of 
him a resignation of his office. " On that day the peo- 



Anno Dom. 



44 History of Worcester in \ ^"n;" 

pie to the number of about fifteen hundred '•* assembled 
on the common and made choice of five of their num- 
ber as a committee, viz : Messrs. Joseph Gilbert, John 
Goulding, Edward Ravvson, Thomas Denney, and Joshua 
Bigelow, to wait on the Hon. Timothy Paine lately ap- 
pointed Councillor by mandamus from his Majesty, to 
demand of him satisfiction to the people for having 
qualified himself for said office ; and having waited upon 
him accordingly, he asked them what satisfaction they 
wanted. They answered a total resignation of his 
office, and desired him to write it, upon which he with- 
drew, and in a few minutes, returned with what he had 
written, which was a total resignation of his office, and 
a promise never to sit again as Councillor unless agreeably 
to the charter. He then asked if that was satisfactory. 
They replied that he must wait on the people, which he 
thought imreasonable after he had complied with their 
demands ; but they said it was in vain, unless he made 
his personal appearance the people would not be satis- 
fied, and after their promising to protect him from in- 
sult, he waited on them to the body of the people, when 
Mr. Denney read the resignation, with which numbers 
were dissatisfied, requiring that Mr. Paine should read it 
himself, and that with his hat off; he then told the com- 
mittee that he had complied with all they desired on 
their promising protection, and that he called upon them 
for it; but they gave him to understand that the people 
would not be satisfied till he complied with their de- 
mand, which he did, and was then conducted near to his 
own house by the committee and dismissed. The peo- 



* This account differs essentially from that given by Lincoln in his History of 
Worcester. Tiie above is from Gaines' New York Gazetteer and Weekly Mer- 
cury of Sept. .5, 1774, and also Rivingston's New York Gazetteer of Sept. 8, 
1774. It was probably written by some tory, possibly by Mr. Paine himself, 
;iu(l is undoubtedly correct. 



Anno Dom. 
1774. 



War of the Revolution. 45 



pie then drew off, those of each town forming a. com- 
pany, and marching to Rutland, the town in which the 
Hon. John Murray, another Councillor resided," where 
after being re-inforced by nearly a thousand men from 
the Western part of tlie county, they by a committee 
called at the house of that gentleman, but not finding 
him at home left a letter demanding his resignation, 
with a threat that unless this demand was complied with 
by the 10th of September they would call on him 
again. 

The decided measures adopted by the patriots alarmed 
some of the tories, who retired with arms, ammunition 
and provisions to Stone House hill in Holden, where 
they remained two or three weeks, after which they re- 
turned to their homes. 

The ao-o-ressive acts of the British authorities in Bos- 
ton, admonished the people that they must innnediately 
prepare themselves for armed resistance. A company 
of minute men were enrolled under the command of 
Capt. Timothy Bigelow, and were daily instructed in the 
manual of arms, and muskets were procured for their 
use. The town ordered four cannon to be procured and 
mounted. An artillery train was organized, of which 
Edward Crafts was Captain. 

Below is an extract of a letter dated Worcester, Sept. 
27, 1774. 

" Yesterday we had a meeting of all the male inhabitants from the 
age of 1 G to 70, who formed themselves into companies and proceeded 
to choice of officers — (those who had held commissions under Gov. 
Hutchinson except a few who resigned them) — one third part of the in- 
habitants were appointed to be in readiness to march to whatever place 
their assistance may be wanting. On Friday next, there will be a 
meeting of the County Committee, in order to remonstrate with Gen. 
Gage respecting his fortifications at the only entrance by land into our 
much esteemed capital." 



Anno Dom. 



46 History of Worcester in j ^"'l^r^ 

The people being determined that the officers ap- 
pointed by the Crown should not hold the court sessions, 
they assembled by invitation of the Committee of 
Correspondence to the number of several thousand, took 
possession of the Court House, and compelled the justi- 
ces to promise in writing never to attempt to exercise 
their authority contrary to the will of the people. The 
Court held no sessions for nearly two years, when it was 
opened under the new government. 

At a town meeting held Sept. 26, Joshua Bigelow, 
David Bancroft, Jonathan Stone and Stephen Salisbury 
were added to the standing Committee of Correspon- 
dence. 

A County Convention of Committees of Correspon- 
dence was held in Worcester, Sept. 27, and assumed leg- 
islative authority, which authority was recognized. 

The strength of the royalist party was by this time 
seriously impaired, a few remained defiant and unsubdued^ 
and concluding that "neither hell, Hull nor Halifax" 
could afford worse shelter than Worcester gave them, 
fled to Boston, and placed themselves under the protec- 
tion of Gen. Gage, and after the evacuation of that 
town, retired to Halifax. Others sought safety in sub- 
mission and asked forgiveness in humiliating terms. In 
the records of the town meeting, held Oct. 17th, occurs 
the following : " Voted, that the recantation of William 
Campbell be recorded in tlie town book and that he be 
restored to favor." 

RECANTATION. 

" To the inhabitants of the town of Worcester, Gentlenuin : Whereas, 
I, the subscriber, with a number of others, signed a protest against the 
proceedings of the town, and the same was published in the Boston 
Gazette of June last, wherein the inhabitants were unjustly reflected 
upon in general, and also tlic whole body of Conunittees of Correspon- 



Anno_Don,.| Wav of Uw RevolutioTi. 47 

deuce throughout this whole Province, for which I am heartily sorry and 
ask the forgiveness of all the inhabitants of the town, and the justl}'' of- 
fended public ; and also for any other offence that I may have given by any 
means, whether in word or action. I heartily request your acceptance of 
this sincere acknowledgment ; and that if either of the inhabitants hath 
any other charge against me in regard to my conduct, that he would 
make it known, that I may have an opportunity of giving christian 
satisfaction, which I shall ever stand ready to afford. Witness my 
hand, 

William Caiipbkll." 

At a town meeting held October 4, 1774, Joshua Big- 
elow was chosen Representative to the General Court, 
and Timothy Bigelow, Delegate to the Provincial Con- 
gress. A committee was chosen to draw up instructions 
for their g-overnment. The committee consisted of Da- 
vid Bancroft, Jonathan Stone, Nathan Baldwin, Samuel 
Curtis, and Stephen Salisbury ; and they reported the 
followino; : 

" To Mr. Joshua Bigelow, 

Sir : The Free Electors of the town of Woi'cester, being greatly 
alarmed by the unconstitutional authority assumed by the British Par- 
liament in several of their late acts, some of which already have, and 
others which are intended to 02:)erate in this province to the entire 
subversion of all we hold valuable in our Charter, and which we have 
indubitable right to enjoy by the laws of Nature and by the principles 
of the Christian religion, as well as the compact contained in said 
Charter, therefore that the cruel acts that have been already been put 
into execution to the great detriment and distress of this Province, and 
dangerous to the inhabitants of the whole Continent of America, may 
cease to operate any longer to the entire stoppage of commerce with 
Great Britain, to the dishonor of his Majesty and the Parliament, and 
that those other acts which have not yet operated may be prevented 
from ever being carried into execution, and we thereby reduced to pay 
obedience to the acts of any future venal, corrupt administration 
which may deprive us of life and property with impunity, for the 
prevention whereof, and the security of all and every of our natural 
and charter rights, we have chosen you to represent us in the Great 
and General Court of this Province ; reposing special trust in your 



48 History of Worcester in \ "^"^ 



Anno I)oni. 

4. 



wisdom and fortitude, give you the following instructions as the rule 
of your conduct respecting the particulars hereafter mentioned, and 
direct you not to recede from the most rigid virtue in recovering and 
defending all other of our rights and liberties, not expressly mentioned, 
that may come under your consideration. 

First. Agreeable to the recommendation of the Committee of Cor- 
respondence for this county in convention, we instruct you absolutely 
to refuse to be sworn by any officer or officers but such as are or may 
be appointed according to the Constitution, or to act as one branch of 
the legislature in concert with any other, except such as are or may be 
appointed or supported according to the charter of this Province, and 
that you refuse to give your attendance at Boston while the town is in- 
vested with troops or ships of war ; and should there be anything to pre- 
vent your acting with such a Governor and Council as is expressly set 
forth in the charter, that you immediately repair to the town of Con- 
cord and there join in a Provincial Congress with such other members 
as are or may be chosen for that purpose, to extricate this Colony out 
of its present unhappy circumstances. 

Thus far, sir, has the body of this country resolved as the proper 
instructions for the Repi'esentatives that might be chosen in their sev- 
eral towns to meet at Salem ; the former part of which, we should 
have ado})ted verbatim with the addition of several other articles as 
proper rules for you to have observed as a member of the Great 
and General Court, provided you have not been excused and discharg- 
ed therefrom by the Governor's proclamation, the latter we do adopt 
as proper to direct you to attend at Concord aforesaid, with Mr. Tim- 
othy Bigelow, whom we have chosen to represent us in the Provmcial 
Congress to be holden there, and strictly adhere to the instructions 
given him, for the rule of your conduct in said Congress respecting 
the particulars therein contained. 

By order of the Committee, 

David Bancroft, Chairman." 

" To Mr. TniOTiiY Bigelow, 

Sir : As you are delegated to represent the inhabitants of the town 
of Worcester in a Provincial Congress to be convened at Concord, on 
the second Tuesday of October, instant, the following is offered and 
enjoined upon you as the instructions of us, your constituents, which 
you are to observe and follow as a member of said Congress, viz : 

As the first Charter given to this Colony was violated and as we think 
wrongfully wrested from us by Great Britain, and that our second and 



Anno Pom 



5^,^om. j ^^^ ^y- ^^^ RevoliLtion. 49 

late Charter is nullified and destroyed by late acts of the British Par- 
liament, by their assuming the authority of making laws binding upon 
us in all cases whatever, and to enforce our compliance have sent ships 
of war and blocked the port and harbor of our metropolis, and 
troops are posted in hostile array to dragoon the people, and the Gov- 
ernor made independent of the people for his support, and mantling 
our Capital in such a manner as may reduce the worthy inhabitants 
to a military government : therefore that you endeavor in the most 
l^eaceable way and obtain a redress of the following grievances : 

First. That ■ the port and harbor of Boston be opened, and the 
freedom of trade restored, and the King's troops be removed out of 
this Province, and the command of the fortifications, so called, at the 
south end of Boston be resigned to the inhabitants, and the commander 
of the King's troops be prohibited from erecting any fortress or making 
any intrenchment within the town of Boston or near any of the ave- 
nues leading to it. 

Second. That the Provincial store of ammunition lately removed 
by the King's troops from the arsenal at Charlestown be returned to 
the place from whence it was taken, or into the care of such person 
or persons as you shall appoint to receive and keep the same for the 
use of this Province, and that all the ammunition in the magazine in 
Boston be delivered to the proper owners, if by them requested. 

Third. That every one of those incorrigible enemies to this 
country who have lately been appointed by mandamus from his Maj- 
esty as Councillors, and have accepted a seat at the Council Board of 
this Province, and shall not resign their said office before the second 
Tuesday of this instant, be impeached as traitors to the Constitution 
of this Province, and that they be taken into custody and secured for 
trial. 

Fourth. That you endeavor that the Provincial Congress depute 
an agent or agents from that body, to go to Canada and there treat 
with its inhabitants in the name and on behalf of the people of this 
Province, and establish such rules of conduct to be observed by them, 
as is or may be for the mutual benefit of both, and give assurance to 
them on our part, of that friendship which some of their inhabitants 
have nobly displayed in a late generous donation to the oppressed, suf- 
fering poor of Boston, for which, we would in this public manner re- 
turn our grateful thanks ; and while we would willingly refund in the 
same species, if a change of circumstances required it, which, God 
grant, may, never be the case with any of our generous benefactors. 
7 



50 History of Worcester in j "^^ " 



Anno I)om. 
4. 



Fifth. That if all the infractions of our rights, by acts of the Brit- 
ish Parliament, be not redressed, and we restored to the full enjoy- 
ment of all our privileges, contained in the Charter of this Province, 
granted by their late Majesties, King "William and Queen Mary, to a 
punctilio, before the day of your meeting, then, and in that case, you 
are to consider the people of this Province as absolved, on their part, 
from the obligation therein contained, and to all intents and purposes 
reduced to a state of nature ; and you are to exert yourself in devis- 
ing ways and means to raise from the dissolution of the old Constitu- 
tion, as from the ashes of the Phoenix, a new form, wherein all ofHcers 
shall be dependent on the suffrages of the people for their existence 
as such, whatever unfavorable constructions our enemies may put 
upon such procedure. The exigency of our public affairs leaves 
no other alternative from a state of anarchy. 

Sixth. You are to give diligent attention to the advice which you 
may receive from the Continental Congress now sittting at Philadel- 
phia, and we shall esteem it the greatest happiness to have the appro- 
bation of our sister colonies in all matters resj^ecting our mode of gov- 
ernment, and therefore if your advices from said Congress should not 
perfectly coincide with these, our instructions respecting the mode 
of government for tliis Province, you are to desist from acting any 
further on that matter until you have our further instructions, any- 
thing herein contained to the contrary notwithstanding. 

Seventh. That whereas, the commissioned officers in the militia 
of this Province have generally resigned their commissions and the peo- 
ple have formed themselves into military companies and chosen officers 
of their respective companies, field officers, «S:c., notwithstanding all 
which, it is highly necessary that there be a Captain General to pre- 
side over the whole, we therefore instruct you that you endeavor that 
there be such a Captain General advised to by the Provincial Con- 
gress as soon as may be. 

Eighth. The foregoing you are to adhere to and religiously ob- 
serve in all respects, according to the nature of your office, and as the 
way and means for the recovery and defence of our rights, liberties 
and privileges. 

By order of the Committee, 

David Bancroft, Chairman. 

On the 25th of October, a committee consisting of 
Nathan Baldwin, John Kelso and Ebenezer Lovell, was 



Anno Dom 



nowj War of the Revolution. 51 

appointed to see that the merchants and' traders of the 
town offered no goods for sale in violation! of the " Sol- 
emn League and Covenant." 

The Massachusetts Committee of Safety recommended 
to the Committee of Supplies, the procuring of pork, 
flour, rice and peas, and depositing the same j^artly at 
Worcester, and partly at Concord, They further ad- 
vised the procuring of all arms and ammunition that 
could be got from the neighboring Provinces, and also 
spades, pickaxes, bill-hooks, iron pots, mess-boards, can- 
non balls, etc. 

In Committee of Safety, Nov. 2d, 1774,* it was "voted 
to procure supplies as soon as may be, and that 200 bar- 
rels of pork, 400 barrels of flour, 150 bushels of peas, 
be deposited at Worcester; also at Concord, 155 barrels 
of pork, 300 barrels of flour, 50 tierces of rice and 150 
bushels of peas." 

Jan. 25, 1775, " voted, that all the cannon, mortars, 
cannon balls and shells, be deposited at the towns of 
Worcester and Concord in the same proportion that the 
provisions are deposited." 

Feb. 2 2d, " voted, that Mr. Abram Watson on the ar- 
rival of more troops, take possession of the Province 
arms, now in the college, and send them to Worcester ; 
and also voted that the Province amis now in Boston 
and Roxbury be removed by Moses Gill, Esq., to Wor- 
cester." 

March 7, "voted, that watches be kept constantly, at 
places where the Provincial magazines are kept, and 
that the clerk write on the subject to Col. Barrett of 
Concord, Henry Gardner, Esq., of Stowe, and Captain 
Timothy Bigelow of Worcester, leaving it to them how 
many the watches shall consist of" 

*From Journals of the Committee of Safety and of the Committee of Sup- 
plies of the Provincial Congress of Massachusetts, 1774, — 1775. 



Anno Dom. 



52 History of Worcester in {^°^2.d« 

April 17, "voted, that all ammunition shall be de- 
posited in nine towns in this Province, viz : Worcester, 
Lancaster, Concord, Groton, Stoughton, Stowe, Mendon, 
Leicester and Sudbury." 

April 18, "voted, that the town of Worcester, Con- 
cord, Stowe and Lancaster be furnished with two iron 
three-pound cannon, each. That 500 iron pots be de- 
posited at Sudbury, 500 at Concord, and 1000 at Wor- 
cester. That 2000 wooden bowls be deposited as are 
the pots, and the spoons in the same manner, also can- 
teens, two medical chests in Worcester in different parts 
of the town : 1600 yards of Russia Linen : 1100 tents 
to be deposited in equal parts in Worcester, Lancaster, 
Groton, Stowe, Mendon, Leicester and Sudburj^" 

April 30, " voted, that an order be given to Maj. Tim- 
othy Bigelow to have the Province arms, either at Wor- 
cester or Concord inniiediately brought to this town.'"^ 

At a town meeting held January 3d, 1775, Timothy 
Bitrelow w^as chosen Deles-ate to the Provincial Con- 
o-ress, and a committee comsisting of Nathan Baldwin, 
David Bancroft and Jonathan Stone was appointed to 
draw up instructions for him and lay the same before 
the town at the adjournment of the meeting. 

At the adjourned meeting, the Committee submitted 
the following, which were adopted : 

To Mk. Timothy Bigelow, 

Sir : At this day of difficulty and trial in general, and in this Prov- 
ince in particular, by means of several acts of the British Parlia- 
ment whereby we are deprived of the advantages of Civil Government 
agreeable to the rights, liberties and privileges of Englishmen, the 
Governor of this Province, invested with a power of making and un- 
making many of our officers in such manner as renders our executive 
courts dangerous to the lives, liberties and properties of all such as 

*The Committee of Safetj- were then holding their sessions at Cambridge. 



AnnoDom-J WaT of tJu RrJOlutioH. ^^ 

shall oppose the establishment of a despotic government in this Prov- 
ince, and his being made independent of the f>eople of this Province 
for his salary, we apprehend has such an influence npMjn his conduct, 
that we have just ground to fear he will pay more regard to the in- 
structions he may receive from the British Ministry than to the wel- 
fare of this Province or the English Constitution of Government. 

He has already, (we think wantonly.) dissolved our General As- 
sembly of this Province, and issued writs for calling another, and in 
an unprecedented manner dissolved said writ before the day on which 
the said Court was to meet, and no other like to be called that we 
know of, by these means we being deprived of the advantages of such 
a General Cotirt or Assembly as the Charter of this Province entitles 
ns to. we are constrained instead thereof, to hold a Provincial Congress 
agreeable to the recommendation of our late Congress held at Cam- 
bridge. Therefore we have made choice of you to represent us in said 
Congress at this critical and important crisis of our public a5airs. 
when the fate of millions dej>end5 upon our wise, cool and prudent 
conduct : you. we make no doubt, will be duly sensible of the great 
and important trust reposed in you by us, your constituents, the uncer- 
tainty of events may cause many matters to come under your consid- 
eration which will require your xitmost fortitude, which we cannot oive 
definite instructions upon at this time, but the following we give vou 
as the rule of yomL conduct respecting the matters hereinafter men- 
tioned, viz : 

Fir^. That you endeavor that if the Provincial Congress should 
meet at Cambridge, agreeable to the recommendation of our late Con- 
gress, that they immediately adjourn from Cambridge to some other 
town in the country at a greater distance from Boston. 

Setond. That you are very careful in disposing of the public mon- 
ies, especially that you do not give your consent to extravagant grants 
if any such shotdd be proposed to be made to any person or persons 
for their services. 

Third. That you endeavor that the members chosen by our late 
Provincial Congress to sit in a Continental Congress to be holden at 
Philadelphia in May next, may be instructed as early in their ses- 
sion as possible to obtain the advice of the members thereof, what 
measures are the most proper for this Province to adopt respecting 
civil government which we at this time are deprived of. And we de- 
termine to rest quietly in this sittiation. however perplexing, agree- 
able to the recommendations of our late Continental Congress until 



54 History of Worcester in 



Anno Dom. 
1775. 



tlie operations of their petition to his Majesty be known, excepting 
the commencement of liostilities against us should require the adopt- 
ing a form of civil government for the defence of our lives and prop- 
erties ; and under such exigency you are to conduct yourself accord- 
ngly, and endeavor the best form possible be adopted for the support 
of good order and the liberties of the people which we think must and 
shall make every servant of the public dependent upon the suffrages 
of the people for their authority. 

Nathan Baldwin. 

JoxATHAN Stone. 

At a town meeting held in January, 1775, it was " vot- 
ed, to recommend to the company of minute men, that 
they discipline themselves in the military art, until the 
month of March next, and then the town to give them 
proper encouragement after that time." 

In accordance with the above, at the March meeting 
it was "voted, that each of the minute men belonging 
to the town, attending drill one-half day of each week, 
shall be paid by the town one shilling per man for each 
one-half days' service, for so many half days as they 
shall train more than other companies shall do that 
belong to this town, and all who have enlisted as min- 
ute men who do not punctually attend when notified by 
their commanding officer, shall pay one shilling out of 
their wages for each and every one-half day of their 
neglect." 

These men were soon called into active service. On 
the 19th of April, the day of the battle of Lexington, 
a little before noon, a mounted messenger dashed 
through the town, with the alarm '' to arms ! to arms ! the 
war is begun ! " His horse covered with foam, and bleed- 
mg from the effects of his rider's spurs, fell exhausted 
near the church ; another was procured, and the mes- 
senger hurried on with his summons to the held. The 
bell was rung, cannon were fired, and the minute men, 



Anno Bom. j ^^^ ^y ^j^^ RevoluHon. 55 

true to their agreement, were ready at a minute's no- 
tice, and rallied on the common, where they were parad- 
ed by Capt. Timothy Bigelow. After prayer by Rev. 
Thaddeus Maccarty, at about five o'clock in the after- 
noon they took up their line of march through Shrews- 
bury, Northboro, Marlboro, Sudbury, Weston, Waltham, 
to "Watertown, where they arrived the next morning, and 
after a short halt, proceeded to Cambridge. Capt. Big- 
elow was soon followed by Capt. Benjamin Flagg, with 
a company of thirty-one men, and overtook the former 
at Sudbury. On that 19th of April, 108 men left Wor- 
cester to repel British invasion. 

The organization of the army which had gathered 
at Cambridge, was immediately begun. Captain Big- 
elow was appointed Major in the regiment of which 
Jonathan Ward was colonel. A greater part of the 
Worcester men enlisted on the 24th of April, in a com- 
pany of which Jonas Hubbard, who was 1st Lieutenant 
of Bigelow's company of minute men, w^as captain. 
Many joined other companies in Ward's and Doolittle's 
regiments, and others still, enlisted in the artillery un- 
der Col. Thomas Crafts. 

On the day following the battle of Lexington, there 
arrived in Worcester, a man Avho was destined to act a 
leading part in promoting the cause of the people, in 
Worcester. The bold and resolute course adopted by 
Mr. Isaiah Thomas, proprietor of the Massachusetts Sp}^, 
had rendered him obnoxious to the British authorities. 
With the assistance of a few of the patriots, he suc- 
ceeded in removing a portion of his presses and types 
from Boston and reached Worcester on the 20th, and 
on the third day of May, he issued the first number of 
tke Spy printed in Worcester. His utterances through 
its columns were powerful in sustaining the cause in 
the heart of the Province. 



56 Histoij of Worcester m { ^"nTs"""- 

Five (lays after the battle of Lexington, the Hon. 
John Hancock, on his journey to Philadelphia to attend 
the Continental Congress, was detained in this town two 
days awaiting the arrival of his colleagues, delegates 
from Massachusetts, and the attendance of an escort. 
While here, he sent a letter to the President of the 
Provincial Congress at Watertown, giving information of 
the arrival of a packet at New York, with dispatches for 
General Gage, and recommended that care be taken to 
intercept the same. He also sent the following letters 
to the Committee of Safety : 

Worcester, 24th April, 1775, Monday Evening. 

" Gextle^men : — Mr. S. Adams and myself, just arrived here, find 
no intelligence from you and no guard. We just hear an express 
has just passed through this place to you from New York, informing that 
administration is bent upon pushing matters ; and that^four regiments 
are expected there. How are we to procceed ? Where are our breth- 
ren ? Surely we ought to be supported. I had rather be with you ; 
and, at present, am fully determined to be with you before I proceed. 
I beg, by the return of this express, to hear from you ; and pray fur- 
nish us with depositions of the conduct of the troops, the certainty of 
their firing first, and every circumstance relative to the conduct of the 
troops, from the 19th instant to this time, that we may be able to give 
some account of matters as w^e proceed, and especially at Philadelphia. 
Also I beo- you would order your Secretary to make out an account of 
your proceedings since what has taken place ; what your plan is ; 
what prisoners we have, and what they have of ours ; who of note 
was killed on both sides ; who commands our forces, &c." 

'' Arc our men in good spirits ? For God's sake, do not suffer the 
spirit to subside until they have perfected the reduction of our ene- 
mies. Boston must be entered ; the troops must be sent away, or 
[blank] Our friends are valuable but our Country must be saved. 
I have an interest in that town ; what can.be the enjoyment of that to 
me, if I am obliged to hold it at the will of General Gage, or any one 
else? I doubt not your vigilance, your fortitude and resolution. Do 
let us know how you proceed. We must have the castle. The ships 
must be [blank] Stop up the harbor against large vessels coming. 
You know better what to do than I can point out. Where is Mr. 



An„o_nom. j j^^^ ^jr ^f^^ RevoluHoii. 5 7 

Gushing ? Are Mr. Paine and Mr. John Adams to be with us ? 
What are we to depend ui^on? We travel rather as deserters, which 
I will not submit to. I will return and join you, if I cannot travel in 
reputation. I wish to hear from you. Pray spend a thought upon 
our situation. I will not detain this man, as I want much to hear 
from you. How goes on the Congress ? Who is your president ? 
Are the members hearty ? Pray remember Mr. S. Adams and myself 
to all friends. God be with 3^ou. 

I am, gentlemen, your faithful and hearty countryman, 

JOHN HANCOCK." 

" To the gentlemen Committee of Safety." 

"Worcester, April 24, 1775. 
" Gf:ntlemen : — From a conviction of your disjiosition to promote 
the general good, I take the freedom to request your countenance and 
good offices in favor of Mr. Edward Crafts,* of this place, that he may 
be appointed to the command of a company. I know him well ; he 
is capable. I beg your attention to this. It will give great satisfac- 
tion to Mr. Adams and myself, and to the people of this county : do grat- 
ify us. I also beg leave, you would recommend to the notice of Gen- 
eral Heath, in my name, Mr. Nathaniel Nazro, of this town, Avho is 
desirous of being noticed in the army. He is lively, active and capa- 
ble. My respects to Heath and all friends. Pray General Heath to 
take notice of this recommendation. God bless you. Adieu. 
I am your real friend, 

JOHN HANCOCK." 
" To the Committee of Safety." 

" Worcester, April 26, 1775. 
"Gentlemen: — Having had the honor to command the Cadet 
company at Boston, and knowing the ability of those who composed 
that corps, I cannot withhhold mentioning, and recommending to the 
notice of you and the general officers, Mr. John Smith and Mr. John 
Avery, two excellent good soldiers and gentlemen, who will advance 
the reputation of the Province in that department of command where 
they may be jjlaced. I therefore most strongly recommend them, and 
earnestly pray they may be noticed. I will be answerable for their 
conduct. There are several other gentlemen of that corps, who may be 
useful, particularly Mr. Brent and Mr. Cunningham. Do notice 
Messrs Smith and Avery.* They will be useful. I set out to-morrow 

*Messrs. Smitli and Crafts received Commissions and jiroved valuable 
officers. 



58 History of Worcester in 



Anno Dom. 
1775. 



morning. God bless you. Why don't you send to Mr. Crafts. Pray 

improve him. He is a good man, and one on whom you may depend. 

Don't miss him. 

I am your real friend, 

JOHN HANCOCK." 

•' To the Committee of Safety." 

After the battle of Lexington, the Committees of the 
town turned their attention to the " internal enemies," 
as may be seen from the following papers"-' issued by 

them. 

"Worcester, May 8, 1775. 

The committee appointed by the inhabitants of the town to take in- 
to their consideration what is requisite to be done with a number of peo- 
ple who have shown themselves disaffected to their country, do report: 
That in their humble opinion, William Campbell, as he has broken 
through his engagements with the fathers of the people, and presumed 
to go out of the town and Province, before the resolves of the Provin- 
cial Congress were known, in order to injure the good people of this 
place, and has been, and by his conduct still appears to be an inveterate 
enemy to the rights and privileges of this country, notwithstanding his 
declarations to the contrary, that he should be sent to Watertown or 
Cambridge, to be dealt with as the Honorable Congress, or the Com- 
mander-in-Chief shall think necessary, it being judged highly im- 
proper that he should tarry any longer in this town. 

That Jacob Stearns, Samuel Paine, Micah Johnson, David Moore, 
Samuel Brooks, Cornelius Stowell, Capt. Curtis, Jacob Chamberlain, 
James Hart, Joseph Clark, Capt. Rice, Joseph Blair, Joshua Johnson, 
Adam Walker, Capt. Samuel Mower, Samuel Moore, Dr. Willard, 
Nathan Patch and Lieut. John Mower, as every person in this day of 
distress, who is not an enemy of his country, should aid and assist all 
in their power to exti'icate it out of its present difficulties, that the 
above gentlemen have an opportunity offered them of retrieving the 
good opinion of their fellow townsmen, by heartily consenting to 
join the American troops, or find others in their stead, otherwise they 
must be looked upon as unworthy of the further confidence of their 
fellow countrymen, and willing to join an unlawful banditti to mur- 
der and ravage. By order of the Committee." 

This Report was accepted : 



*From original papers in possession of the American Anti(inari;iii Society. 



Anno Bom. j Wav of tJie Revolutio7i. 59 

"Worcester, May 17, 1775. 
To Gardner Chandler, Esq., 

Sir : The Committee of Correspondence for the town of Worces- 
cester, have resolved that David Moore, Micah Johnson, Micah John- 
son, Jr., Samuel Moore, Samuel Moore, Jr., Jacob Chamberlain, John 
and Thad., John Curtis, William Curtis, Joseph Blair, Joshua John- 
son, Cornelius Stowell, P. Goulding, C. and N. Chandler, Nahum 
Willard, Andrew Duncan, John Mower, Elisha Smith, Joseph Clark, 
Adam Walker, Nathan Patch, Nathaniel Adams, Isaac Barnard, Tim- 
otliy Paine, Samuel Paine, Samuel Moore and Noah Harris, meet 
said Committee Monday next, at nine o'clock in the forenoon, at the 
house of Mrs. Sternes,* in Worcester, with their arms and ammuni- 
tion. You are desired by said Committee to notify said persons thereof. 

By order of the Committee, 

WILLIAM YOUNG." 

"Worcester, May 22d, 1775. 

In Committee of Correspondence, determined that the persons here- 
in namedf be, agreeable to Resolution of Provincial Congress, forth- 
with disarmed, and that they do not depart the town without a per- 
mit in writing from the Committee of Correspondence of the town of 
Worcester, or such person or persons as they shall appoint for that 
purpose ; and that if any of said persons shall be so daring as to vio- 
late this resolve, and depart the town contrary thereto, that he 
or they be immediately advertised in the public papers, and when 
brought back, be dealt with as shall be thought proper ; and that for 
the future they desist from meeting together in larger or smaller com- 
panies. 

N. B. It is to be understood that we do not mean to prevent any 
persons from laboring on their own land in this or the adjacent towns. 

Per Order, 

WM. YOUNG." 

While these things were transpiring at home, the 
Worcester soldiers were taking an important jDart in 
the investment of Boston. Capt. Hubbard's company 
in Col. Ward's Regiment was stationed for about six 
weeks near Charles River in Cambridge, opposite the 

*Kiiig"s Arms Tavern. 

INaines as in preceding Document. 



6o History of Worcester in j '^"'J 



Anno Dom 
775. 



Colleges ; after which, until the latter part of July, they 
were at Fort No. 2, which they assisted in constructing ; 
they were then ordered to Dorchester, where they re- 
mained until their term of service expired. At the Bat- 
tle of Bunker Hill, the regiment was marched down 
w^ithin a little over a mile of the scene of action, when 
they were ordered to halt. Half of the regiment was 
ordered to remain on the ground they occupied for fur- 
ther orders; in this part was Capt. Hubbard's company; 
the other half advanced and took part in the engage- 
ment. After occupying the ground for an hour or two, 
that part of the regiment wdiich included Hubbard's 
company, were ordered to advance, and marched within 
about a mile of the hill, where they met soldiers from 
the other part of the regiment returning from the battle, 
under a cannonade from the British. Col. Word ordered 
a halt, and the regiment remained near the ground un- 
til the next morning, when they returned to Fort No. 2. 

At a town meeting held May 22, 1775, Mr. David 
Bancroft was chosen Delegate to the Provincial Con- 
gress to be convened in Watertown the 31st of May, 
and continue in said office six months and no 
longer. A committee consisting of William Young, 
Josiah Pierce, Nathan Baldwin, Jonathan Stone, and 
Samuel Curtis, was chosen to draw up instructions to 
be observed by him, and report at an adjourned meet- 
ino-, at which the following were adopted unanimously. 

To Mr. David Bancroft, 

Sir : The Town of Worcester having chosen you tlieir Delegate to 
represent them in the Provincial Congress, to be convened and held at 
"Watertown upon the 31st of May inst, and so de die in diem during 
their session and sessions, for six months from the said -'51st of May 
and no longer ; and notwithstanding the high oi)iuiou we have of your 
eidightened wisdom and fortitude, think it our duty, to give you our 



AnnoDom.j Wav of tlie Revohitiou. 6i 

particular instructions, relative to some matters that may come under 
your consideration ; and when anything extraordinary of a public na- 
ture occurs, that concerns your duty as our Representative, we enjoin 
upon you that you take our further jjarticular instructions upon the 
matter if in your power, especially at this time wdien a corrupt and 
despotic ministry, with a wink or a nod, rules both the King and Par- 
liament of Great Britain with such absolute sway, that they are but 
a mere nose of wax, turned and moulded any and every way, to an- 
swer despotic purposes, overthrow the English Constitution of Govern- 
ment and plunder the Americans of both liberty and property. From 
hence our Charter nullified ; our Governor made despotic and indepen- 
dent of the people ; our Judges of our Courts dependent upon the King 
for both place and pay ; Jurors to be ^sacked by a dependent Sheriff ; u 
law purporting for the King's officers, if they please, to murder the 
King's subjects in this Province with impunity ; the port and harbor 
of Boston blocked up, and our trade stopped until we shall pay for 
tea we know not how much, and destroyed -by we know not whom, 
(and if we do not comply and pay for said tea, then all the wharves, 
docks, quays, landing places and shores within the port and harbor of 
Boston are forfeited unto the hand, and are to be at the disposal of his 
present Majesty and his successors forever ;) the town of Boston re- 
duced to military government, the Governor of this Province sending 
out troops into the country frequently, who have robbed and plundered 
public stores, magazines and so forth, and destroyed private property, 
and to complete the scene have mvirdered and butchered a great num- 
ber of our peaceable, quiet inhabitants, and loyal subjects of his Maj- 
esty ; our Legislative authority according to charter destroyed, and we 
driven to the necessity instead thereof to hold a Congress ; and as 
though spiritual ruin was designed against us as well as temporal, the 
Romish religion is established iu the largest government upon the con- 
tinent ; civil government, the former security of life and property, we 
are deprived of, and under the disagreeable necessity of taking up 
arms and defending ourselves against Britons who ought to join with 
us in the defence of our lives, rights, liberties and the English Consti- 
tution", the only safe basis of his Majesty's throne. These are but a 
part of the acts of that Legislature that claims a right to make laws 
that are binding upon us in all cases whatever. Under these accumu- 
lated oppressions, and tyrannical acts of the British Parliament, it be- 
hooves you to ^teer clear of those rocks that have dashed the constitu- 
tional liberties of our fellow subjects in Great Britain, and that 
threaten us in America. The millions upon millions of the national 



62 History of Worcester i7i r^irrs!""" 

debt hath arisen (as we think, not by misfortune but) by c'xorl)itant 
grants to phice-men and pensioners. You are tlierefore in all grants 
of the public money to be especially careful that no more is given to 
any person for his services than an adequate pay for the same, and that 
no person be allowed to live in luxury and idleness or become opulent- 
ly rich, at the public expense. There is nothing in a well ordered 
government that requires it ; and in whatever community it is allowed, 
they are raising such another tribe of tyrants to destroy themselves, 
as we are now fighting against. This requires nothing for its illustra- 
tion but to take a retrospective view of the conduct of some persons 
in this town, as well as other parts of the Province. God grant tliat 
this country may never produce any more such ingrates. The difficul- 
ties we labor under for want of an established civil government, neces- 
sitates us to enjoin it upon you, that you endeavor that advice of the 
Grand Continental Congress be obtained upon that matter, and that 
we have such a form of government established as that every officer 
in it be dependent upon the suffrages of the people for their place and 
pay. And as Gen. Gage, commander-in-chief of his Majesty's forces 
in America, hath since he has been in Boston, sent out his troops into 
the country, who have robbed plundered and murdered a number of 
his Majesty's loyal subjects, and by fraud disarmed the inhabitants of 
Boston, and by breach of solemn contract detained some of them pris- 
oners in Boston, and been guilty of such conduct, as is not only un- 
christian and derogatory to the character of a good soldier, but would 
be a disgrace to a savage, — you are therefore, as far as ,is consistent 
with the nature of your office, to give all the aid and assistance in 
your power, toward subjecting him and the army under his command, 
and recovering the property both public and private, that they have 
unjustly taken away, and that he and the murderers under his com- 
mand, may be brought to condign punishment, and that the estates of 
our domestic enemies may be secured for the public use. You are 
also to endeavor, that proper measures be taken, to supply this Colony 
with arms, ammunition, and all war-like stores necessary for defence, 
and to take proper measures for keeping up harmony and union, with 
all our sister Colonies. 

In the spring of 1775, captives from the British army 
began to arrive, and during the remainder of the year 
the jail was filled to its utmost capacity with prisoners 
of war. Many were put out to service among the in- 
habitants of the town on i)arole, when proper persons 



Anno^Dom.J ^^^ ^jr ^J^^ ReVoluUon. 63 

appeared to hire them; those hiring them being required 
to obtain a certificate from the Committee of Safety 
recommending them as friendly to the American 
cause, and to give a receipt to the Sheriff, at the same 
time engaging to return the prisoners whenever re- 
quired. 

In May, the Continental Congress provided for the 
removal of the poor of Boston, and a number were 
supported here. 

The Selectmen, were required to furnish blankets for 
the soldiers of the town, which was promptly done. In 
June, a requisition was made for 30 muskets and bayon- 
est, which were furnished, also 2^ barrels of powder. 

In September, the march through the wilderness to 
Quebec, and the subsequent attack on that fortress, was 
conceived, and in that most disastrous expedition, Wor. 
cester was represented ; her soldiers showing themselves 
possessed of a true soldierly spirit and undaunted hero- 
ism. Major Bigelow, Capt. Hubbard, and twelve soldiers 
of this town took part in the attack on the fortifications, 
on the last day of the year 1775. Capt. Hubbard was 
mortally wounded, and refusing to be moved, perished in 
the violent snow storm which was raging at that time ; two 
others were killed, and Major Bigelow and the remain- 
der were taken prisoners and confined nearly a year, 
when they were exchanged. 

On the 10th of July, Mr. David Bancroft was chosen 
Representative, and a committee consisting of Nathan 
Baldwin, David Bigelow, Asa Moore, John Nazro and 
Samuel Curtis, was chosen to report instructions at the 
adjournment, on the 14th. At this adjourned meeting, 
Mr. Joshua Bigelow was chosen as colleague with Mr. 
Bancroft. 



64 History of Worcester in \ ^"^^ts""' 

The committee reported the following instructions 
which were adopted. 

To Mr. David Bancroft and Mr. Josuua Bigelow, Representa- 
tives for the Town of AVorcester, 

Gentlemen : We, your constitutents, having invested you with au- 
thority to act for us in a legislative capacity, and as this is a jjower 
you received from us, to use and exercise for our safety and benefit, 
you are therefore accountable to us for all your conduct in said office, and 
under indispensible obligation to observe and obey such instructions 
as we may at this or any other time give you respecting the discharging 
the duties of your office, so long as you remain. 

At this crisis, when the British Parliament, regardless of our natural 
and constitutional rights, has annihilated our Charter and demanded of 
us an implicit obedience to their acts and laws in all cases what so- 
ever ; and to reduce us to subjection to their mandates. His Majesty 
has appointed Thomas Gage, Esq., Govei-nor of this Colony, with an 
army under his command, who has actually robbed and murdered a 
great number of his Majesty's loyal subjects, and by proclamation has 
established martial law to be the only rule of government in this Col- 
ony, and imprisoned a great number of the peaceable inhabitants of 
the town of Boston, and has been guilty of many other actions that 
are a disgrace to humanity ; and as we have good reason to believe that 
the Deputy Governor is aiding and assisting in these cruel operations, 
we highly approve the advice of the Honorable Continental Congress, 
viz: to consider the Governor and Deputy Governor as absent, and 
for the House of Representatives to choose a Council, and that Coun- 
cil to act as Governor until his Majesty shall please to appoint a Gov- 
ernor and Deputy Governor, that shall act agreeable to th(! Charter of 
this Colony, or it be otherwise ordered by the authority of the United 
Colonies of North America. 

The accumulated difficulties that we labor under at this time, added 
to those passions that too often lead men into error, makes the task of 
a virtuous representative truly arduous. An inordinate desire of riches 
and power has induced some men to barter the riglits and liberties of 
their constitutents for a lucrative office, or some post of command ; 
from hence we think that the national debt hath, the greatest part of 
it arisen, and tlie liberties of Englishmen invaded, for by the accounts 
we often receive, the members of the British Parliament are very gen- 
erous in granting pensions and places to eacli other. You are there- 



Anno^nom. j J,y^^ ^JT ^/^^ ReVOluHoH. 65 

fore to endeavor that none be elected Conncillors but persons of es- 
tablislied character for probity and virtue, and as it is expected that 
they will appoint executive officers, and may perhaps appoint each 
other into the most lucrative offices, and continue the fees as hereto- 
fore established, or refuse to give their concurrence to a more equitable 
law for the regulation of that matter, you are to use your influence 
that the legislative and executive authority be kept in separate 
hands as much as may be ; for we look upon it as incompatible with 
the privileges of equity for men to ajipoint themselves into executive 
offices, as it would be for a plaintiff that had sued for a quantum 
meruit to sit upon the jury and determine how much he should re- 
cover of the defendant. You are therefore to endeavor that an act be 
passed, that whenever any member of the Legislature be appointed to 
accept of an executive office, he shall be debarred a seat in the Leg- 
islature until he shall be re-chosen, and that his constituents shall be 
forthwith served with a precept to choose some suitable person to rep- 
reseut them. And whereas, executive officers being persons in good re- 
pute among those whom their respective offices immsdiately concern, and 
it is of great utility in civil society as it greatly facilitates subordination, 
you are to endeavor that no person be appointed to the office of a 
Judge of the Probate, or Register in the Probate Office, or a Justice of ' 
the Court of Common Pleas, or a Clerk of the same, or Clerk of the 
Court of General Sessions of the Peace, or Sheriff of the County, 
before he 'or they are recommended to be suitable persons for their 
respective offices by a vote of the inhabitants of the major part of the 
towns of the County in which they are to exercise their offices. We 
also further instruct you to endeavor that we have Executive Courts 
established, that criminals may be punished in due form of law, and that 
creditors may recover their just debts ; but as the long discontinuance 
of Courts of Justice and other circumstances have stopped the circula- 
tion of money among us, to enter precipitately into civil actions might 
be attended with bad consequences to the public, you are therefore 
directed to endeavor that such a limited time be set for the commence- 
ment of civil actions, as shall be the most impartial between debtors 
and creditors and best serve the public. 

And whereas. Gen. Gage has broken faith with the iidiabitants of 
Boston by retaining many of them and their effects there, and sending 
out the poor only ; and as there are a number of persons inimical to 
the liberties of this country who have taken refuge in Boston and left 
their families and considerable interests in the country, you are to en- 
deavor that some method be provided that those families may be sent 



66 History of Worcester in i''"j?75°'" 

to Boston, and that their estates be appropnated to the public use ; 
the law of restoration and self preservation suggests it, and there is 
no breach of faith in doing it. In all other matters that may come 
under your consideration adhere strictly to our constitutional rights, 
and that you may be prospered and acquit yourself with honor is our 
fervent prayer. 

The summary manner in which the Committees dealt 
with the tories at home, may be seen by the Ibllow- 
ing from the Spy of August 30, 1775. 

" Dr. Nahum Willard of this town, having at divers times and in 
the presence of sundry persons, most scandalously aspersed the charac- 
ter of some, and the proceedings of the whole of the Continental and 
Provincial Congresses, the Selectmen of this Town, and the Commit- 
tee of Correspondence in general, the good people of this town from a 
knowledge of his character, for some time passed it unnoticed, from an 
apprehension that his character was so well established for a retailer 
of falsehoods as to render him incapable of doing any public injury ; 
but from the preverseness of his vile heart whereby he persisted in his 
wickedness, they were apprehensive he might be capable of doing 
some hurt in the neighboring towns, which he often frequented, and 
where his character perhaps may not be so well known, and from an 
apprehension the inhabitants of this town might hazard the imputa- 
tion of having deserted the glorious cause for which this continent is 
now contending, in suffering such an offender to escape with impunity, 
did on the 21st inst., summon said Willard to appear before them in 
the presence of the Selectmen and some of the Committee of Corres- 
pondence, when witnesses were produced in support of the charges 
alleged against him, which were fully proved and committed to writ- 
ing and deposited in the hands of the Selectmen, (open to inspection.) 
the witnesses being ready to make oath to the same. 

A committee was then chosen to consider the best methods for a 
further procedure with said Willard. They reported that said Willard 
should have tendered to him a paper they had drawn up, containing a 
C3nfession of his notorious scandals and falsehoods, (without mention- 
ing a word of his promising a reformation, as they would be very 
sorry to be the means of his adding to his falsehoods ;) this paper if 
he believed to be true, he was to sign that evening, and as it was late, 
to prevent disorder, he was next morning to read it in such public parts 
of the town as the company desired, with which he complied. 



Ai,no_Dom j ^^^ ^JT ^/^^ ReVolutio7l. 67 

There was another scandalous aspersion upon the guard that con- 
ducted the prisoners from hence to Springfield, wherein he asserted he 
was told they used them extremely cruel, frequently pricking them 
with their bayonets ; he was often called upon to name his author, and 
as often refused it, until the day of general enquiry, when he laid it 
upon a person four miles off, who has since declared he never told 
him so, nor ever heard of it before ; this is only mentioned to take off 
any bad impression that might be made, to the prejudice of the gentle- 
men who conducted this matter, whose character is so well known 
here, especially for humanity, that it never affected it in this place. 
But as this matter was not of so public a nature, it was thought 
most advisable the persons who had suffered should do themselves jus- 
tice ; an apprehension that they would, it is supposed, has caused the 
Doctor's flight, without the least regret of any of the inhabitants ex- 
cept the tory gentry." 

Confession of Dr. Willard. 

" Whereas I, the subscriber, have from the j^erverseness of mv 
wicked heart, maliciously and scandalously abused the characters and 
proceedings of the Continental and Provincial Congresses, the Select- 
men of the town, and the Committees of Correspondence in general ; 
I do hereby declare, that at the time of my doing it, I knew the said 
abuses to be the most scandalous falsehoods, and that I did it for the 
sole purpose of abusing those bodies of men, and affronting my towns- 
men, and all the friends of liberty, throughout the continent, being 
now fully sensible of my wickedness and notorious falsehoods, humbly 
beg pardon of those worthy characters I have so scandalously abused, 
and of my countrymen in general, and desire this confession of mine 
may be printed in the American Oracle of Liberty, for three weeks 
successively." 

Signed, Nahum Willakd. 

Attest, 

Benjamin Flagg, Josiah Pierce, 

Jonathan Stone, David Bigelow. 

Samuel Miller, 



CHAPTER IV. 



Col. Ward's Regioient petition the General Assembly eoncerning tlic tories — The tories address 
Gen. Ga^e on his departure for England — Cl-irk Chandler committed to jail for assisting a prisoner 
of war to escape — He petitions the General Court and Committee of Safety for enlargement — Town 
ToteJ to suitiin the measure if Congress should declare the American Colonies independent — 
Twiops armed and forwarded to Boston, New York and Canada — The price of Bohea Tea and other 
articles fixed by Congress. 

In September,' 1775, the officers and men of Col. 
Ward's regiment at Dorchester, which regiment was 
composed mostly of men from Worcester county, peti- 
tioned the General Assembly then in session at Water- 
town, that the internal enemies or royalists, who had 
fled to Boston, might be prohibited from returning to 
their former habitation.^, and if they attempted to re- 
turn that they might be severely dealt with. 

PETITION. 

" To the Honorable Board of Councillors and House of Representa- 
tives of the Province of Massachusetts Bay, in the General 
Assemfjly now sitting at Watertown : 

The memorial of the company of foot, raised in the town of Worces- 
ter, and now in the Continental army, in the regiment whereof Jona- 
than Ward, Esq., is Colonel, together with the principal part of said 
regiment, being raised out of the county of Worcester, humbly 
shewetli : — 

That the said town and county, has been intolerably infested with a 
cruel and merciless set of tories, who have exerted all their wit, sophis- 
try and influence, to proselyte slaves to the supreme legislative power 
of the British Parliament, and to disconcert every method used by the 
wise and zealous friends of a free, happy and most noble constitution 
of the Empire, and discovered a most merciless, inimical temper toward 
our Provincial and Colony Charters, styling the sous of freedom or 
friends to the constitution, as rebels and traitors, and menacing death 
and cruel tortures as their just and remediless portion. 



Anno Dom. 
1775. 



War of the Revohiiio7t. 6g 



Tluit when the bloody era commenced, and the brave appeared in 
arms to defend their invahiable rights against troops, formed, posted, 
aud ordered to massacre all that would not submit to their merciless 
decrees ; and all America with one heart and voice, cordially united 
to take up arms as their dernier resort for their defence, then these 
wretches trembled, some confessed, and like vermin crawling among the 
roots of vegetables, endeavoring to secrete themselves, while they are 
a nuisance to the cause of justice and judgment ; or in sheep's clothing 
secretly watching for prey to gratify their voracious appetites, or 
availing themselves of the good opinion of the prudent, ascend into 
places of power and jirofit, and rendered capable of acting their pre- 
decessor Judas' j)art, when opportunity favors their designs, and be- 
betray the good cause with " all hail," and a hypocritical kiss. 

Tliat others fled to Boston, there to advise and act as open and 
avowed enemies to their brethren ; encouraging the disheartened and 
chagrined troops to all merciless acts of violence and bloody scenes ; 
stimulating the British Ministry and all the tools of tyranny to pursue 
their bloody decrees with all vengeance upon us, by Avhich means, in 
our humble opinion they have forfeited all right to American propert}', 
and even their lives with every aggravation of guilt, as did ever a 
bloody set of merciless robbers, or desperate pirates. 

That as some of these vermin, or worse, emissaries of tyranny, are 
crawling out of Boston to their forfeited seats in Worcester, there is 
reason to suspect, that either their expectations fail, and therefore they 
would gladly return to their former seats and profits, until a more fav- 
orable opportunity presents to carry their evil machinations into exe- 
cution, or, they are contriving, by degrees, to slide back to their seats, 
and there avail themselves of the good opinion of the people, in order 
to play their parts, to divide and subdivide, or by some method weaken 
our union, or to form some diabolical plan for the Ministry to save 
the supremacy of Parliament, under some soft, sophistical, reconcilia- 
tory terms. 

Wherefore, we, your humble memorialists, entreat your honors not 
to suffer any of those who return, however humble and penitent they 
may appear, to go at large, or return to their former seats, or even 
to be so far favored as to be confined within the limits of Worcester, 
but treat them as they deserve, enemies in a superlative degree ; con- 
fine them close, and render them incapable of doing harm, or return 
them to Boston their favorite asylum. 

Your Honor's petitioners can but flatter themselves with a most 
sanguine expectation of this so rational request being fully granted. 



70 History of Worcester in 



Anno Doin 
1770. 



espQcially as we arc risking our lives in our country's cause ; it must 
greatly dishearten us to hear our most notorious enemies are tolerated 
and winked at, while on the other hand we find no necessity to jiray to 
our commander-in-chief for a detachment to apprehend and confine ene- 
mies who are secured properly by our civil fathers under whose juris- 
diction they appear ; and thus encouraged as in duty bound, shall ever 
pray. 

DoRCHESTKR, Sept. 27, 177;1. 

" The sientlenien who were driven from their habita- 
tions in the country, to the town of Boston " issued an 
address to Gen. Gage on his departure for England, in 
the most loyal terms. 

" To his Excellency, Thomas Gage, Esqr., Captain General and 
Commander-in-Chief in and over his Majesty's Province of Mas- 
sachuetts Bay in New England, 

May it please your Excellency : AVhen we reflect upon the surpris- 
ing effects of that enthusiasm and infatuation which are so generallj'' 
prevalent in the country, and the variety of dangers to which the 
loyal and obedient have been exposed, we feel the most grateful sen- 
sations towards your Excellency, and are anxious to acknowledge our 
obligations to your wisdom and prudence. We consider ourselves in- 
debted to j'ou for protection from the lawless fury and unbridled vio- 
lence of our countrymen, and had not events taken place beyond what 
human wisdom could foresee, and contrary to any human calculation 
upon rational principles, we might in all probability have been further 
indebted to your Excellency for a reconciliation of the unhappy dif- 
ferences that subsist, and a restoration to harmony, happiness and 
peace. 

It is with regret we think of your Excellency's departure from this 
Province, but we are relieved in some degree, by a consideration of 
the very important services you will render this countrj', by a just rep- 
resentation of its present state at the Court of Great Britain ; by the 
confidence we repose in the abilities of your successor to the civil and 
military command, the hopes of your speedy return, and the anticipa- 
tion of an establishment of the rightful supremacy of Parliament 
over this part of his Majesty's dominions. Justly meriting and pos- 
sessed of the esteem and applause of the virtuous and good, happy in 
the pleasing reflections of an approving conscience, and blessed with 



Anno_Dom. j j^^^ ^jr ^/^^ RevoluHon. 7 1 

the gracious plaudits of the best of Kings, your opportunities will be 
equal to the inclination you have ever discovered, to restore and settle 
on the most lasting basis, that union of the interests of Great Brit- 
ain and the Colonies, so indisjiensably necessary to the happiness of 
both. 

We sincerely lament that the number who have dared to stem the 
torrent of rebellion and sedition in this Province is so small, but we 
trust that the cordial thanks of even a few, (who have fled from op- 
pression, who have sacrificed their properties and every domestic en- 
joyment, and are now ready to risk their lives to manifest their loy- 
alty to the best of sovereigns,) will not be unacceptable to your Ex- 
cellency. 

Be pleased, sir, to accejjt the ardent wishes of these few faithful 
and grateful subjects, that your voyage may be prosperous and agreea- 
ble, and that your unwearied endeavors for the public service may be 
crowned with success. 

Boston, Oct. 7, 1775." , 

Seventy-six royalists signed this address, among whom 
were the following, who had fled from Worcester : James 
Putnam, Samuel Paine, Adam Walker, WilliamCampbell, 
John Chandler, Nathaniel Chandler, William Chandler, 
James Putnam, Jr. 

Gen. Gage replied, acknowledging the steady attach- 
ment they had always shown to the true interests of 
their King and Country in the worst of times, and as- 
sured them that his successor would afford them every 
favor and protection. 

On the 20th of September, Mr. Clark Chandler was 
charged by the Committee of Correspondence with hav- 
ing in the month of June, assisted one Budd, a prisoner 
of war in escaping, in violation of the said prisoner's 
parole of honor, of having spent the summer in Boston 
and elsewhere with the enemies of America, also of be- 
ing an enemy to his country ; and he was committed to 
jail in Worcester, and kept in close confinement, his 
relatives being allowed to furnish him with such neces- 
saries as he stood in need of 



72 History of Worcester in { ^"in^.^"'' 

Oil the 3d of October, he petitioned the Council and 
House of Representatives for enlargement from close 
confinement, setting forth that in the month of June 
he went from Worcester, his place of abode, to Newport, 
wliere he went on board one of his Majesty's vessels in 
which he obtained a passage to Boston, designing to sail 
from thence to Quebec, where he proposed to reside and 
engage in trade. Accordingly after a short stop in Boston 
he sailed for Annapolis in Nova Scotia, having had the , 
misfortune to be cast away, and hearing discouraging 
reports of the state of trade in Quebec, he determined 
to return to his home in Worcester, and accordingly re- 
turned to Boston, where he arrived on the 28th day of 
August, and after staying in that town 21 days, he 
went by water to Newport, from Avhence he returned to 
his home in Worcester, arriving on the 20tli of Septem- 
ber, and considering the situation of public affairs, and 
being sensible that he had rendered himself justly sus- 
pected as an enemy to his country, he voluntarily sur- 
rendered himself to the Committee of Correspondence, 
by whom he was closely confined, to the great detriment 
of his health, and compelled to endure the nauseous 
stench of a jail crowded with prisoners taken from the 
enemy ; he therefore petitioned that he might be allow- 
ed to w^alk and breathe in a wholesome air, within such 
limits and under such bonds and obligations as the 
Council and House might prescribe. 

The petition was referred by the Council to the Com- 
mittee of Correspondence for the town, they being the 
authorities who imprisoned him, and who w^ere cognizant 
of the crimes laid to his charge. 

On tlie 2 1st of November he sent a lengthy state- 
ment and petition to the Committef!, which was as fol- 
lows : 



Anno_pom.j j^y^^ ^jr ^/^^ RevolutioTl. ^2> 

[From MSS. in possession of American Antiquarian Society.] 
To the Committee of Correspondence for the town of Worcester : 
The address, memorial and petition of Clark Chandler, a pris- 
oner in close confinement, humbly showeth, — 
That in consequence of his own imprudent and misjudged conduct, 
he has been more than two months without the least prospect of a 
trial upon the merits of his case, subjected to endure the accumulated 
distresses resulting from a total deprivation of liberty, and the inclemen- 
cies of a jail imprisonment. He complains of nothing that is past, nor 
has he the most distant wish to elude an impartial examination, the 
consequent decisions of justice, or the full demands of the public ; 
confiding in the rectitude and humanity of his country men, the in- 
habitants of his native town, he cheerfully resigned himself into their 
hands, and acquiesed in his destination to the severities of a jail impris- 
onment. In this situation he must have been wanting to himself, 
regardless of a primary law, the great law of self-preservation, im- 
i:)lanted by the finger of God in the heart of all his creatures, whose 
happiness was the benevolent design that gave being to the universe, 
not to be meditating some means consistent with the safety of the 
community, to extricate himself from almost intolerable scenes of suf- 
fering, to obtain a partial restoi'ation to freedom, and a blessing com- 
mon to the brute creation, the privilege of breathing an wholesome 
and pure air. Surely it must be crimes of the blackest dye, a necessity 
for the general good, that shall deny to an Englishman, under a free 
government, these common enjoyments. On these principles, from 
the advice qf his friends, your memorialist was induced to address the 
lenity and justice of the Honorable Council of this Province, for his 
relief and the public security, but as his commitment was not by this 
body, they could not with any propriety sustain his petition, being no 
ways privy to the suspicions he was under, or the crimes laid to his 
charge. This transaction, and the reason of the thing, necessarily 
refer .him back to the authority of this town, to the authority that 
confined him, and who alone can, with any propriety grant him en- 
largement. Your petitioner has no where else to resort; the town are 
acquainted with his conduct, with the alleviating and aggravating cir- 
cumstances attending it. He relies on your recollection, repairs to 
your goodness, and appeals to your justice. If his conduct has been such 
as to deny him relief at this bar his misery for the present is perfectly 
complete. He is now pleading for liberty, without which existence is 
a burden, and which you all professedly hold dearer than life. Be pleas- 
ed therefore to hear him with patience, to determine with caution, and 
9 



74 History of Worcester in 



Anno Pom. 
1775. 



consider with attention. His cause is before a people where liberty is 
sure of finding protection and support, where innocency can never 
want friends and guardians. It would be injurious to your character, 
a reflection on your humanity and your justice, to suppose that you 
would wish your petitioner to suffer out of proportion to the demandi* 
of his crimes, that you would not rather spare the unfortunate and 
afflicted, than to add keenness to anguish, and make wretchedness more 
wretched. 

It is only necessary therefore to convince you he is entitled to indul- 
gence, that the public will be safe, and his enlargement is gi'anted. 
He does not ask a restoration to your confidence, for this he has no 
pretensions. He does not solicit an acquittal from the charges he is 
under ; he acknowledges his imprudence, censures his own conduct, 
confesses the justness of your suspicions, and tenders sufiicient securi- 
ties. He asks not a general enlargement, he asks not what every 
Englishman has a right to demand, be his crime ever so gi'eat, his vil- 
liany ever so atrocious, either a trial by his peers, a general bailment, 
or full discharge. Your petitioner asks only to exchange the walls of 
a loathsome prison, for the limits of this, or a neighboring town, to go 
from the custody of a jailor to the care of a sufiicient number of res- 
ponsible bondsmen. He tenders you sureties for his continuing within 
prescribed boundaries, for his imexceptionable behavior, and for his 
appearance whenever demanded. It is only on these conditions he 
prays for enlargement. That this will be safe, he even dares to ap- 
peal to precedents, and his past behavior, bad as it is, which will give 
some little security for his future conduct. It is always unfortunate 
when a man must vindicate his innocency against general presumptions, 
unfortunate, because however faultless, it is seldom in his power. Be 
pleased to recollect circumstances, and listen candidly to the sugges- 
tions of truth ; if your memorialist is guilty, he is criminal but in de- 
gree, and the actions of his life ought to mark the degree of that 
guilt. Two years have not yet elapsed since your own unsolicited 
suffrages bore testimony to the goodness of his heart in a political 
view. It is since that jieriod that he has lost your confidence, and 
exposed himself to the resentments of those with whom he was wont 
to live in mutual good friendship, familiarity and affection ; unhappily 
about six months since in the distresses of the times, in the differences of 
opinions, in the variety of prospects, in the uncertainty of events, in the 
stagnation of trade, at a time when some anticipated, and m.any were 
fearful of the worst of consequences, seduced by example, and allured 
by prospects of emolument, in the indiscretions and spirits of youth, 



Anno Dom. 
1775. 



War of the Revolution. 75 



he foolishly and imprurlently left Worcester, and found his way into 
the place garrisoned by your enemies, but at the same time inhabited 
by many of your best friends. It was not to give information, but 
purely from a motive of procuring trade. It was not to take arras in 
opposition to the country, as the event sufficiently proves. He defies 
his greatest enemy, man, woman or child, he challenges the world to 
prove that he did one single act there, inimical to the public, but on 
the contrary, such was his conduct, as in some measure, to reader him 
obnoxious to government, and to expose him to its displeasure. That 
your memorialist was pushing for trade, is apparent from facts. It is 
matter of notoriety, from the discouragements of a shijjwreck, from the 
, bad prospects of trade either at Annapolis or Canada, he returned to Bos- 
ton, and embraced the first opportunity to recover his native town. 
Simply being in this devoted town, was deserving neither of praise or 
of blame. The criminality of an action depends entirely on its motive 
and its consequences. Is there any evidence that your memorialist 
either designed, or did an injurj' to the cause you are supporting? May 
not his views have been innocent, he means with respect to the pub- 
lic? Is not the presumption always in favor of innocence until guilt 
is proved ? Is not the best construction always to be put ? By what 
then consists the great guilt of ycflir memorialist? It is said in repair- 
ing to Boston conti-ary to restrictions, and in the seduction of one 
Budd a prisoner upon parole, and assisting him in his escape. The 
former of these charges he frankly confesses, and certainly it can never 
be justified, but it is rather a fault in morality than a crime in politics, 
for which he must answer to God and his own conscience. That your 
petitioner was previously knowing to Budd's going off is not to be 
denied, but that he either persuaded him to it, or assisted him in it, is 
certainly false ; you will consider the weight of a person's evidence, if 
he has forfeited his word and his honor, whether he is entitled to full 
credit, whether when retaken he would not naturally endeavor to ob- 
tain favor, and exculpate himself by placing his crimes to the account 
of another ; certainly he who excuses at the expense of his companion 
is very suspicious. 

Did the misfortunes of your petitioner stop here, his case would be 
less difficult. The peculiar circumstances attendant upon the attempt- 
ed escape of another prisoner has its perplexities. But are misfor- 
tunes a substitute for evidence ? Will not the sufferings of your 
petitioner suffice that he must be made to bear the crimes of every 
offender ? Can innocency be safe, or villainy in danger, if convic- 
tion rests upon the word of a confessed liar ? Which of his two sto- 



76 Histojy of Worcester in 



Anno Dom. 

iv;5. 



ries is true, is worthy of belief ? One is from necessity false. If 
you arc satisfied tliat he lies, that he is not to be regarded in his last 
account, is the first entitled to your credit? "Would your memorialist 
have hazarded a token, not only known to his confidents, but to the 
whole countrj- ? What sufficient motive could have induced him to 
run such a risk and to part with his money ; if he is not to be credited, 
where is the evidence ? Your petitioner asserts that he was ignorant 
of the matter that the money and the seal Avere stolen, and that he 
complained of it in time. If he is now to be convicted on a matter 
of evidence, that would fix upon a person of a different character not 
the slightest suspicion, where is the equality and impartiality of that im- 
proved constitution, that knows of no difference between any of its* 
subjects ? If one man's crimes cannot be proved by evidence consist- 
ent with his innocence, can another's be fixed by proof incompatible 
with guilt? If this is the case, innocency is unsafe, and the fences 
and barriers against vice are all prostrate. You will remember, gen- 
tlemen, that the first examination of the witness was officious, sudden, 
upon surprise in the perturbation of heart, where were many leading 
<luestions asked, and corresponding answers given. That his other 
examinations were upon recollection, coolly, before authority, after 
being solemnly cautioned to declare the truth, and that he reso- 
lutely persists in the same story. Is not this attended with the best 
characteristics of truth ? If it does not aft'ord some positive proof in 
favor, does it not take off the force of his first assertion, and leave 
your petitioner where it found him, and of course no objection to an 
enlargement. Your memorialist repeats it, his confinement is not for 
punishment, but for safe custody. He has had no trial, no opportunity 
for a defence, nor any judgment against him, specifying his crime, its 
punishment, its nature, degree and duration. And it is unreasonable 
to suffer the penalties of a violation, before the law has pronounced 
him a transgressor. But even admitting that a punishment does not 
necessarily suppose a transgression, and a judgment of law, it cer- 
tainly has for its object the reformation of the offender and the terror 
of others. When these two ends are effected, all the ends of society 
are answered. With respect to the first, after past experience, after 
suffering that complicated train of evils that have flowed from his 
misjudged measures, after a conviction of error from feeling its bitter 
consequences, after drinking largely of the wormwood and the gall, 
after being driven and tossed about in anxiety and distress, from 
prospect to disappointment, from disappointment to despair, from AVor- 
cester to Boston, from Boston, in tlie perils, dangers and wrecks of the 



Anno Dom. 
1775. 



War of the Revolution. jy 



sen, to Annapolis, from thence to Boston, Newport and Worcester, — 
after having endured, with loss of health, more than two months' 
confinement in a noisome jail, and suffered the irrejiarable loss of the 
confidence and affection of his fellow creatures, after all this, can any 
man in his senses siippose that he will repeat those actions which have 
exposed him to such accumulated misfortunes ; or that it is not suflft- 
cient to warn and deter the most undaunted and hardy from similar 
practices. If then, the ends of his confinement can be answered, is 
there, can there be any possible objections to an enlargement ? Gen- 
tlemen, suppose the worst, suppose he left Worcester with an evil in- 
tent, that he joined the enemy in opposition to the country, is it 
impossible to repent? Is there no indulgence to a returning peni- 
tent ? Did the returning prodigal receive forgiveness, banquets, the 
robes and the ring ? And shall an unfortunate adventurer receive 
nothing but severities, chains and rigorous imprisonment ? Is not the 
language of his return the voice of repentence ? Is there no allowance 
to be made for the inexperience of years, and the frailties and imperfec- 
tions of short-sighted mortals ? Your petitioner asks for nothing out of 
your power to grant, consistent with the general good ; for nothing but 
what is supported by reason and warranted by precedents. Out of the 
many examples adducible in point, he will produce two that may serve 
as a lead in the present case : the one of an early, the other of a recent 
date. In the course of the last winter, you all remember the associa- 
tion of a number of persons at Marshfield and the bordering towns. 
The address to the then General for troops, fire arms and ammunition in 
opposition to the country, and the most ardent entreaties of the peo- 
ple. The troojis were sent, they received the arms and ammunition, 
banded with the regulars in hostile array, bade defiance to the author- 
ity of the people, and pledged themselves for the support of ministe- 
rial measures. After the Lexington battle, they escaped with their 
mercenary companions to the camp of your enemy. About a fort- 
night after, a part of those were seen off the coast of Marshfield, were 
taken, carried to headquarters, examined, and confined only to the 
limits of particular towns, unless giving bonds for their future good 
behavior. The other instance is one Jones, from the Eastward, who 
in the face of a resolution of Congress declaring all persons aiding, 
assisting, or any way supplying the King's troops, enemies to the 
people and traitors to the country, was detected in supplying by vessel 
loads, the ministerial army with lumber, provisions and other neces- 
saries. He was committed to jail, and upon applying, no longer ago 
than the last session of court, to the Honorable Council by whom he 



78 History of Worcester in p"'!' 



Anno Dom. 
775. 



was examined and committed, and wlio were privy to the charges 
against him, he was aibnitted to bail. Sliall tliose taken in arms 
against the public, and in supplying their avowed enemies, be permitted 
enlargement, and shall one who has done neither, be consigned over 
to lingering destruction ? Are the accusations against your petitioner, 
allowing they were all true, more atrocious than the above crimes ? 
Whence, then, the discrimination ? Will a town deny to its own in- 
habitant, what the Generals of the army, and the Council of the Prov- 
ince, granted to greater offenders ? 

Gentlemen and fellow townsmen, considering you have such prece- 
dents to follow, such authority to plead ; considering you have ample 
security tendered, and the safety of society, the ends of confinement 
and even of punishment will all be answered ; considering no rank or 
elevation in life, no uprightness of heart, no prudence or circumspec- 
tion of conduct can give infallible security against dungeons and jails ; 
considering the infirmities of the best among us, the vices and ungov- 
ernable passions of others, the instability of all human affairs, the 
numberless unforeseen events that the compass of a year or a day may 
bring forth, which will teach us candor and forbearance ; considering 
the benignity of the English law, how tenderly it regards the libertv 
of the subject, how compassionately it accomodates itself to the frail- 
ties and imperfections of humanity, how upon these principles it some- 
times excuses, and sometimes mitigates the greatest of crimes; when 
he considers the great charter of freedom, that glorious institution in 
defence of which many of his countrymen are hazarding their fortunes 
and jeoj)arding their lives, breathes nothing but liberty ; when he con- 
siders his application is to the professed disciples of Ilim, who by his 
benevolent precepts cultivates humanity and forgiveness, how when 
figuring to his followers the tremendous transaction at the tribunal of 
heaven, He made kindness to prisoners an express condition upon 
which they were to enter into the glories of His Father; when he con- 
siders all these things, he is ready to hope that you will easily adopt 
a measure, that must prove happy to yourselves, useful to the community, 
and necessary for your petitioner, in granting him enlargement from a 
place where he is losing his health and contracting diseases that may 
either snatch him awa^ in the vigor of years or cause him to drag out 
a miserable existence in unalleviated pain, misery and distress; your 
petitioner, as in duty bound, will ever pray. 

Worcester Jail, Nov. 21, 177/). 

The prayer of the petitioner was granted, and on the 



Anno Dom 



nre"""' t ^^^ of the Revohiiio7i. 79 

5th of December, after a confinement of 76 days, he 
was removed to his mother's house, and on the 15th of 
December he received permission from the Council to 
reside in Lancaster, being required to furnish bonds, to 
be filed with the Colony Treasurer, in the sum of £1000, 
that he would not go out of the limits of that town. 

In January, 1776, Samuel Curtis and William Young, 
were elected as magistrates to exercise the powers of 
justices of the peace, for the preservation of good or- 
der. 

In Ma}^, Nathan Baldwin was chosen to take acknow- 
ledgments of debts, where the amount exceeded twenty 
pounds. 

The town was called upon for blankets for the army, 
and twenty-seven were immediately furnished. 

Men were wanted to reinforce the army around Bos- 
ton, and thirty-two were levied and forwarded from 
Worcester. 

At a town meeting held on the 23 rd of May, a motion 
was made and seconded to see if the town would sup- 
port Independence, if Congress should declare the 
American Colonies independent of Great Britain, and 
it was voted " that we loill sustain the 7neasure with our 
lives and fortunes, and that the town clerk serve Mr. 
Joshua Bigelow, Representative for this town, with a 
copy of the vote for his instruction." 

In Jane, 56 men were required as the quota of the 
toAvn, toward the formation of battalions, destined to co- 
operate with the Continental troops in New York and 
Canada. 

On the 26th of June, the County Convention of Com. 
mittees of Correspondence resolved, that as the Con- 
gress had established a price for Bohea Tea and other 



8o 



History of Worcester i7t 



Annn Dom 
1770. 



articles, any one who should charge a higher price than 
that established should be considered an enemy to the 
American cause and treated as such, and called on all 
Committees of Inspection and people generally to be 
vigilant in detecting such persons. 

In July, men were furnished to support the army in 
the Northern Department. 




CHAPTER V. 



Declaration of Independence — Subsequent celebration of the event — Calls for more troops 
promptly met— New York sends its tories to Worcester jail — Address of Committee of Correspon- 
dence recommending milder measures concerning suspected persons — One seTenth male inhabitants 
drafted — Escape and capture of a portion of the New York captives — Town excited because of 
change of basis of Representation to General Court — Bounty voted to recruits — Money raised by 
gineial tax — Tories prosecuted — Soldiers march to the relief of the Northern army — Anothfr 
draft — A company march to oppose Burgoyne — Burgoyne's captive army pass through town — 
Town voted to approve of Confederation of States — Town voted not to approve Constitution recom. 
mended for State — Banishment and confiscation of the property of certain tories. ' 



The events of the beginning of the year 1776 hastened 
the action of the Colonies, by which they formally sev- 
ered themselves from all political connection with Great 
Britain. On the 4th of July, the celebr/ated Declaration 
of Independence was adopted by the Provincial Con- 
gress, assembled at Philadelphia. It rehearses in con- 
cise and unmistakable language the various tyrannical 
acts of the mother country, and the reasons growing 
out of them, why the Colonies should be Free and Inde- 
pendent States. It was immediately read at the head 
of the army, and transmitted as speedily as possible to 
the authorities to whom the people had confided their 
civil interests in the various sections of the country. 

On Sunday, the 14th of July, a copy of this document 
on its way to Boston, was intercepted, and read from 
the porch of the Old South meeting-house by Mr. Isaiah 
Thomas, and thus, for the first time on Massachusetts 
soil, that instrument, the key note of w'hich is, " that all 
men are born free and equal," and which declared the 
American Colonies to be Free and Independent States, 
was read, and liberty proclaimed. 
10 



Anno Pom. 



82 History of Worcester in I'^'jtt 

Monday, the 22n(l, was set apart for the purpose 
of celebrating the event, and the following account of 
the proceedings is from the Spy of July 24, 1776. 

" On Monday last, a number of patriotic gentlemen of this town, 
animated with a love of their country, and to show their approbation 
of the measures lately taken by the Grand Council of America, assem- 
bled on the green near the liberty pole, where, after having display- 
ed the colors of the thirteen Confederate Colonies of America, the 
bells were set ringing and the drums a beating ; after which the de- 
claration of Independence of the United States was read to a large and 
respectable body, among whom were the Selectmen and Committee of 
Correspondence assembled on the occasion, who testified their appro- 
bation by repeated huzzas, firing of musketry and cannon, bonfires and 
other demonstrations of joy. When the arms of that tyrant in Bri- 
tain, George the III, of execrable memory, which in former times dec- 
orated, but of late disgraced the court house in this town, were com- 
mitted to the flames and consumed to ashes ; after which a select com- 
pany of the sons of freedom, repaired to the tavern lately known by 
the Sign of the King's Arms, which odious signature of despotism, 
was taken down by order of the people, which was cheerfully compli- 
ed with by the innkeper, where the following toasts were drank, and 
the evening spent with joy on the commencement of the happy era. 

1. Prosperity and perpetuity to the United States of America. 
2. The president of the Grand Council of America. 3. The 
Grand Council of America. 4. His excellency Gen. Washington. 
5. All the Generals in the American Armj^ 6. Commodore Hop- 
kins. 7. The officers and soldiers of the American Army. 8. The 
officers and seamen in the America navy. 9. The j)atriots of Amer- 
ica. 10. Every friend of America. 11. George rejected and lib- 
erty protected. 12. Success to the American arms. l.'J. Sore eyes 
to all tories and a chestnut burr for an eye stone. 14. Perpetual 
itcViing without the benefit of scratching to the enemies of America. 
15. The Council and Representatives of the State of Massachusetts 
Bay. 10. The officers and soldiers in the Massachusetts service. 
17. The memory of the brave Gen. Warren. 18. The memory of the 
magnanimous Gen. Montgomery. 19. Speedy redemption to all the 
officers and soldiers who are now prisoners of war among our enemies. 
20. The State of Massachusetts Bay. 21. The town of Boston. 
22. The Selectmen and Committee of Correspondence for the town 
of Worcester. 23. Mav the enemies of America be laid at her feet. 



Anno^Dom. [ ' jy^^ ^J- ^/^^, ReVoluUoil. 83 

24. May the freedom and independency of America endure till the 
sun grows dim with age and this earth retui-us to chaos. 

•The greatest decency and good order was observed, and at a suita- 
ble time each man returned to hi& respective home. 

On the 14th of July/=' the county convention of Com- 
mittees of Correspondence called upon the Committees 
of the several towns to transmit forthwith to the Stand- 
ing Committee, the names of such persons in their res- 
pective towns, as were esteemed to be notoriously inimi- 
cal to the ri<!;hts of America. 

At a meeting held in September, the question was 
submitted whether the town would give its voice toward 
empowering the Council and House of Representatives 
to adopt such a constitution and frame of government 
as was most conducive to the safety, peace and happi- 
ness of the State. It was determined that, considering 
so many of the inhabitants were absent in the army, it 
was inexpedient to act in the matter. 

On the 10th of this month one-fifth part of the mili- 
tia were ordered to New York ; one-fourth part of the 
remainder were required to be in readiness to march at a 
moment's notice. Troops were needed for the defence 
of Boston and other places on the coast. Worcester 
met all these calls promptly. 

The roll of Capt. William Gates' Company, in Col. 
Jonathan Holraan's regiment in Chelsea camp. New 
York, Sept. 4, 1776, gives the names of fifty-fourf men 
from Worcester. 

Volunteers from this town marched to the relief of 
Rhode Island, and remained during a portion of the 
winter. 

* Doubtless an error, the 14th fell on Sunday. Luicola gives the above 
tbile. 

t Lincohi states the number to be 85. The ori^jinal roll iu possession of the 
American Anti<niari:ui Society, gives 54 as the number. 



84 History of Worcester in { ^'"nTc.""' 

In Col. Craft's regiment of artillery, were twenty-four 
men from Worcester. 

In October, 1776, a committee of the convention of 
the State of New York, appointed for inquiring into, de- 
tecting and defeating all conspiracies which might be 
formed in said State against the liberties of America, 
sent to the care of the Committee of Correspondence of 
Worcester, thirty-one prisoners charged M'ith treasonable 
practices, who were committed to the jail. 

The Committee of Correspondence for the town, issu- 
ed the following in November. 

I From the ]Massachusetts Spy, Nov. 27, 1770.] 
In Committee Chamber, Worcester, Nov. 18, 177G. 
As expedients are no longer wise, prudent and politic, than the rea- 
sons on which they were founded exist, and effects are reversed by a 
mutation of causes ; as the demands of our country are continually 
variating, and the complexion of public affairs incessantly altering ; as 
our dangers and our fears subside by the approach of the enemy, and 
their acts of division have produced unanimity ; as the Resolve of the 
State on the 8th of May, 1775, was a temporary provision, and has 
had its operation ; as the resolution of our predecessors in office, dis- 
arming and confining to this town a number of its inhabitants, was 
expressly to prevent their joining our avowed enemies, and to deprive 
them of the means of obstructing measures adopted for the com- 
mon defence ; as the suffering, servile, spurned attendance on a pass- 
ing camp, the fate of the parricides who have joined the adversary, 
must deter all, but the mad, from repeating the experiment, and the 
recent epistolary lamentations of disappointed refugees extorts the 
Poet's cry : 

Te Gods ! if there be a man I hate, 

Let attendance and dependence be his fate. 

As this day's spectacle* of w^retched, deluded objects, the ruined, exil- 
ed grovellings, spued out of a sister State, is a serious warning to persons 
sporting with the feelings of a whole continent, be they whom, where, 
or what they may, and the Worcester gaol filled with the same engag- 
ing geniuses, will remain a standing memento of future dangers to the 

*This day, about one luindnMl lories passed through this town undor a mil- 
itary guard, ou their way to Exeter. 



Anno Bom. 
1776. 



War of the Revolution. 85 



unfriendly ; as the Congress for the Continent have supposed, there 
were some who through weakness deceived others, from an apprehen- 
sion that British power was irresistable, frightening them into opposi- 
tion, and recommended such as subjects of kindness, reason and re- 
formation ; as the privilege of repenting is one of the most precious 
indulgences incident to erring mortals, and when attended with an 
amendment of principle and practice, is happy for the man, useful to 
society and pleasing to heaven ; as some of the suspected are loud in pro- 
claiming their affection for their country, their grievances from a dis- 
armed confinement and their readiness for exertion in the general 
struggle ; as early in the dispute, when the expediency of measures 
was the topic of the day possibly a mere difference of opinion was the 
too slender ground of some hasty suspicions, and a subsequent change 
of sentiment and conduct may have laid the foundations for forgive- 
ness and friendship, which are equally Christian and political duties ; as 
an army potent enough to make all Europe tremble, and a fleet suffi- 
ciently fiery to have set the seas on flames, have been able m a sum- 
mer's campaign, only to effect the possession of lines deserted from 
jwlicy, a few evacuated towns, the retreat of a picket guard, and the 
rout of an advanced detachment, or a rambling party, by the weight 
of solid columns and heavy artillery, the timorous and the doubting 
must have become courageous and resolved ; as the disaffected from 
principle, have not now to learn from the enemy's not attacking our 
main army or effecting a j^rogress into the country, from their hugging 
the borders of the ocean under cover of their hostile arks, that the 
conquest of America is an event never to be expected ; as under such 
circumstances, joining the regulars would be a perpetual exile, poverty, 
slavery and death ; and cooperating with freemen, with Americans, 
would be rational, manly, triumph, freedom and glory ; as the present 
struggle is bottomed on such piinciples as ought to make every man a 
party, and the time is hastening when there can be no neuter, no 
drones in the hive ; as the restraining an Englishman to a single town 
is in derogation of a common right, depriving him of his arms, an in- 
fraction on liberty, and recording him a tory, stamping him with in- 
famy, and cannot be justified, but upon principles of public necessity ; 
as the preparation for war is a duty enforced by the law of our being, 
and the weapons of death are necessary for the preservation of our 
own and the lives of our neighbors ; that the deceiver and the deceived, 
the timorous and the obstinate, the dissembler and the undesigning, 
the abusive and the well meaning, the ambiguous and the honest, may 
all have a full, fair, and ample opportunity of giving full, fair, and 



86 History of Worcester in p"" 



Anno Doin. 
6. 



ample assurance of their friendship to Independence, and their readi- 
ness to assist and join their countrymen In opposition to both open and 
secret enemies ; that the discontented may be disarmed of ev'cry objec- 
tion, that every barrier to their duty may be removed, and suitable en- 
couragement tendered, and finally, as a more effectual provision is made 
and now making, both for the restraint and punishment of him who 
dares to be a dangerous man and makes war upon the rights and in- 
terests of rising States, either by avowed exertions, or concealed mach- 
inations, and as no good reason can be given for continuing the mere 
existence of the Resolve made by our predecessors aforesaid : 

Therefore, Resolved, that it is inexpedient that the Resolution of the 
late Committee of this town, disarming and confining a number of its in- 
habitants be any longer in force ; that such persons once more be put 
on a standing with the rest of their fellow countrymen, that they be 
allowed the privileges of Englishmen, of friends to their country, of 
passing where and when they please, until they evidence by their con- 
duct and behavior a different character, and that such as have arms in 
the possession of the Committee may receive the same by making ap- 
plication to Mr. Baldwin, their chairman. 

2ndly. Resolved, that it be recommended to all the firm and tried 
friends to their country, to endeavor and convince persons of every 
degree, character and complexion, that the cause we are engaged in is 
of too much dignity to be sullied by rashness, too important, too seri- 
ously important, to be weakened by tumult, divisions and party strife ; 
that liberty leceives strength and vigor from prudence and considera- 
tion ; that justice, equity and regularity, and in some instances mod- 
eration, are her dearest friends ; that she courts virtue as her bosom 
companion, and shuns vice as her dangerous enemy ; and therefore 
equally avoiding feverish fits of political heat, and [ ] banish- 

ing from their breasts all personal prejudices, private piques, narrow 
opinions, illiberal distinctions and unbecoming jealousies ; displaying a 
magnanimity proj^ortioned to the importance and danger of the strug- 
gle, cultivating harmony of sentiment, and unanimity of councils, and 
carefully distinguishing between the friend and the foe ; that it is wis- 
dom (acting discreetly, firmly, unitedly and spiritedly) to receive all 
such to their favor, friendship and confidence, who will give ample and 
satisfactory assurances of their readiness to join in the defence of their 
much injured country, and their steady, persevering attachment to her 
glorious cause, at the same time to exercise a vigilant attention to those 
who continue notoriously in opposition ; those who secretly infiuence 
under the principle of an effected neutrality, and those who labor to 



Anno^Dom. j ^r^^ ^jr ^J^^ ReVoluHoil. ^-^ 

conceal themselves under a despicable cloak of cunning duplicity, if 
any such there be. 

3rdly. Resolved, that it be recommended to the good people of 
this town, that they use their utmost endeavor immediately to equip 
themselves with every implement of war, as the necessary means of 
defence from a foreign attack, or internal insurrection. 

Per Order of the Committee of Correspondence, Inspection and 
Safety of AVorcester. 

Nathan Baldwin, Chairman. 

Earlj^ in January, 1777, a requisition was made on 
the town for 32 blankets, followed on the 26th by a draft 
of every seventh of the male inhabitants over IG years 
of age, to complete the quota of Massachusetts in the 
Continental army, to serve eight months at least. 

On the 12th of January, 12 persons sent from tlie 
State of New York, and confined here for treasonable 
practices against the Colonies, broke out of the jail by 
the assistance of some tories, but were apprehended and 
brought back to prison. 

An Act of the General Court chana;inQ- the ratio of re- 
presentation, excited a great deal of opposition from the 
interior of State. The town of Sutton recommended a 
county convention to draw up a remonstrance, and to 
petition for its repeal. The Committees of Correspon- 
dence for the several towns in the county, in convention, 
passed resolutions to the same effect. At a meeting of 
the inhabitarits of Worcester on the 18th of March, a 
committee, consisting of Levi Lincoln, Nathan Baldwin, 
and Samuel Curtis, reported instructions to be given to 
the RejDrescntative to the General Court as follows : 

"Worcester, March 11, 1777. At a town meeting legally warned, 
a committee was appointed to prepare instructions to be given to the 
Representative for the town of Worcester, respecting a late law made 
and passed in the General Court, entitled, ' An act for the more equal 
representation of the inhabitants of this State.' 



Anno I lorn 



88 History of Worcester in |^'"J 

The committee beg leave to report as follows. 

First : Resolved, that in the opinion of this town the said act for 
enlarging the representation aforesaid, was impolitic, unnecessary, un- 
constitutional and attended with many consequences grievous to the 
good people of the inland parts of the State. 

Second: Resolved, that it be recommended to Joshua Bigelow, Esq., 
and he is hereby requested and desired to use his utmost endeavor, at 
the General Court of this State, to obtain a repeal of the said act be- 
fore writs are issued for a new choice of Representatives. 

Resolved, that the town clerk furnish Joshua Bigelow, Esq., with a 
copy of these resolves as soon as may be." 

The report was accepted by a unanimous vote. 

In February, a requisition being made upon each town 
ill the State, for shirts, stockings and other clothing for 
the Massachusetts troops in the Continental army, Wor- 
cester supplied sixty-two sets. 

On the 18tli of March, a bounty of £20 was voted in 
addition to the grants of the State and Continent, to sol- 
diers enlisting to fill the quota of the town. 

April 7th. It was voted, " that the sum of <£1656 2s. 
3d. 2£ be and hereby is granted, and that the said sum 
be assessed upon the polls and estates of the inhabitants 
of this town, in order to defray the expenses of the 
present war with Great Britain, from the commencement 
thereof to the present time, including the expense of 
liiring our present quota of men for filling up the bat- 
tallions of the Continental army, and that each person 
be allowed for all such public service as he or they wmy 
Jiave done in the said war since the commencement 
thereof." 

On the 19tli of May, Capt. Ebenezer Lovell, David 
Bigelow, Dr. John Green, and Ezekiel Howe, were cho- 
sen Representatives to the General Court. 

On the IGth of June, i^l247 were granted to pay 



Annn Dom 



nn_i)om. j j,y^^ ^jr ^j^^ Revolution. 89 

bounty to such soldiers as have enhsted and shall enlist 
for three years or during the war. 

In the warrant for a town meeting^ to be held on the 
16th of June, an article was inserted as follows : 

4 th. For the town to act on a late Act of the General Assembly of 
the State, entitled, " An act for securing this and the other of the 
United States against the dangers to which they are exposed, by the 
internal enemies thereof, and for the town to do and act thereon any 
thing that they may think |)roper." 

In accordance with this article, the Selectmen pre- 
sented a list of the names of a number of persons whom 
they esteemed as enemies, and dangerous to this and the 
other United States of America, and a number of others 
were nominated at the meetino*, and the nominations 
being seconded, by vote of the town their names were 
added to the lists, agreeable to the late Act of the Gen- 
eral Assembly. The list of names is as follows, viz : 
Nahum Willard, David Moore, Samuel Moore, Cornelius 
Stowell, Jacob Chamberlain, John Curtis, Gardner 
Chandler, Micah Johnson, Joshua Johnson, William Cur- 
tis, Nathan Patch, Joseph Blair, John Barnard, Palmer 
Goulding, Jacob Stevens, Joseph Clark, and James Hart, 
Jr. The town made choice of Mr. William Dawes to 
collect the evidence against these persons, agreeable to 
the Act. At an adjourned meeting held on the 30th, 
the names of Robert Crawford and Micah Johnson, Jr., 
were added to this list of internal enemies. Doubts 
having arisen as to the justice of this method of convict- 
ing persons without a trial, or opportunity for defence, 
the town clerk was directed to suspend making a return 
of the names of these persons, excepting Nahum Wil- 
lard, David Moore, Samuel Moore, John Curtis, William 
'Curtis, Micah Johnson, Jr., and Robert Crawford. At 
a meeting held in December, it was " voted to receive 
11 



An tin Dom. 



90 History of Wo7'C ester iji \ ^" " 

Capt. John Curtis, Nahum Willard, David Moore, Samuel 
Moore, and Micah Johnson, Jr., into the town's I'avor, 
and that further prosecution against them as enemies to 
the United States of America shall cease, they paying 
the costs that have arisen already by means of their be- 
ing prosecuted as enemies to the said United States, 
agreeable to their petition." 

A company of men in which were some from this 
town, left here in July, to march to the assistance of the 
army in Northern New York. They were commanded 
by Jesse Stone of the South Parish, with Nathaniel 
Harrington of Worcester, as First Lieutenant. Leaving 
Worcester, they marched through Leicester, Spencei-, 
Brookfield, Ware, Belchertown, Amherst, Hadley, North- 
ampton, Chesterfield, Worthington, Lanesboro, Williams- 
town, over Hoosac Mountain through Powaal to Ben- 
ningtont, the march occupying a week. On their arrival 
they were joined to Col. Job Cushing's regiment and 
continued towards Ticonderoga. They soon received 
orders to return and reinforce Gen. Stark without delay, 
and arrived at Bennington on Sunday, the day after the 
battle, and performed the duty of guarding the British 
prisoners. The regiment remained until about the 29th 
of August, when they were dismissed. The company 
returned to Worcester through New Marlboro, Coleraine, 
Guilford, Hinsdale, Warwick, Orange, Athol, Petersham, 
Barre, Rutland, and Paxton, arriving home Sept. 2nd, 
having been absent within two days of two months. 

In August every sixth man was drafted for the North- 
ern army for three months. 

The successes of Burgoyne caused much alarm, and by 
desire of Brig. Gen. Warner, a company numbering 73 
men, under Lieut. Col. Benjamin Flagg, with David" 
Chadwick as Captain, marched as far as Hadley, on their 



An^o_Dnm.j Wav of tlic Revolutioii. 91 

way to Albany. The alarm having subsided and the 
danger being over they returned home. 

Early in October, General Burgoyne and his captured 
army passed through town on their way to their impris- 
onment near Boston. 

On the 10th of November, £160 was granted for 
eight soldiers to fill the quota of the town. 

An Act of the General Court, providing for the pay- 
ment of interest on the State debt, and restraining the 
circulation of bills of less denomination than <£10, caused 
much opposition. A convention was held in November, 
and petitioned the Legislature to repeal the Act. 

In December, a committtee, consisting of William 
Dawes, Samuel Brown, and Asa Ward, was chosen to 
provide for the families of soldiers. 

On the 12th of January, 1778, it was voted unani- 
mously that the Confederation agreed upon by the Un- 
ited States in General Cono-ress assembled, was aorree- 
able to the minds of the people of this town. 

In February, 1778, thirty-seven men from Capt. Eb- 
enezer Lovell's company, and twenty-six from Capt. 
Joshua Whitney's company, enlisted for three years. 

A requisition for clothing was made in March, and Wor- 
cester furnished 62 sets of shirts, shoes and stockino-s for 
the army. 

A battalion being; formed for service on the Hudson 
River, Worcester furnished 15 men. Twelve men were 
drafted for the Continental army, to serve nine months. 

A town meeting was held April 13th, for the purpose 
of ascertaining whether the inhabitants approved or dis- 
approved of the Constitution or form of Government 
agreed on by a convention of the State. At an adjourn- 
ed meeting held May 19th, upon the question being put. 



Anno Dom 



92 History of Worcester in \ ^""779 

there were nine votes in favor of the Constitution, and 
forty-nine against it. At this meeting Samuel Curtis 
was elected Representive to the General Court. 

Six men were drafted in June, to join an expedition 
to Rhode Island and four to guard prisoners from Bur- 
goyne's army. 

On the 18th of November, £6G0, 12s. lOd. were 
granted to pay Wm. Young, Esq., Josiah Pierce, Nathan 
Perry, and John Kelso, for money borrowed by them to 
pay soldiers enlisted for the town in the Continental 
army. 

The General Assembly passed an Act forbidding the 
return of the leading tories who had left the State and 
joined the enemy, and notifying them that if they were 
found a second time within the limits of the state, after 
the passage of the Act, they should suffer death there- 
for. The list of persons thus banished, includes the 
following, who formerly resided in Worcester, viz : John 
Chandler, Rufus Chandler, William Chandler, James 
Putnam, Adam Walker, William Paine. The latter was 
allowed to return to Worcester in 1793, wdiere he resid- 
ed mitil his death in 1833. 

In March, 1779, £2,000 wxu^e levied and assessed for 
the support of the war, and the officers of the militia 
were directed to fdl the quota of the town for the con- 
tinental army by enlistment or draft. 

In April, three teams were required and furnished for 
the transportation of warlike stores to Springfield. 

On the 13th of April, the General Court passed an Act 
to confiscate the estates of certain notorious conspirators 
against the Government and Liberties of the inhabitants 
of the State of Massachusetts Bay, and recited that the 
persons therein named, had justly incurred the forfeiture 



Anno Dom 



i-^Tg"""} War of the Revohitio7i. 93 

of all their jDroperties, rights and liberties held under 
and derived from the Government Laws of the State, 
and should be considered as aliens, and that all their 
goods and chattels, lands and tenements should escheat 
and inure to the use of the Government and people of 
the State. Afterwards, in the same year, a Resolve was 
passed, directing the sale of the confi'scated estates at pub- 
lic auction, and a committee was appointed for the jDurpose 
of carrying the Resolve into effect. In accordance with 
this Act and Resolve, the property of the Chandlers, Col. 
Putnam and others was confiscated for. the benefit of the 
government of the State. 

In June, 10 soldiers were raised for the army, and 62 
sets of clothino" furnished. 

O 

A contribution was taken in church, for the relief of 
the people of Newport, suffering from the devastations of 
the British, and £78 were collected. 

The Town obtained by loan £5,200 for the payment 
of bounties. 



CHAPTER VI. 



Convention to confider the question of Finance — Action of the tovni thereon — County Convention 
for the same purpose and its proceedings, fixing prices of labor and produce — Delegates elected to a 
Constitutional Convention — Further requisitions for men and means answered — Bill of Rights and 
Constitution accepted, with some exceptions — First election under the Constitution — More men and 
provisions supplied for the arm J' — Worcester thinks she has contributed more money and men 
than her proportion — Surrender of Comwallis — Jubilation — Instructions to Kcpresentative on 
grievances. 



A Convention of delegates from all parts of the State 
assembled at Concord on the 14th of July, to adopt 
measures to relieve the people from the disastrous ef- 
fects of the great depreciation of the currency, and the 
high prices of the necessaries of life. The delegates 
from Worcester were Joseph Barber and David Bigelow 
Prices for the leading articles of produce and merchan- 
dise were established, and recommendations to the Com- 
mittees of Correspondence for the several towns were 
adopted. 

A town meetino; was held here Aus-ust 2d, and the 
dointi-s and resolves of the Concord Convention were 
highly approved, and a committee was chosen to join 
with the Committee of Correspondence in carrying 
out the spirit and intent of its proceedings and res- 
olutions. A committee was also chosen, consisting of 
Messrs. William Stearns, Nathan Baldwin and Joseph 
Allen, to consider and report such resolutions as they 
deemed proper to be passed and entered into by the 
town relative to the appreciation of the currency, and 
to lay the same before the town at an adjourned meet- 
ing. At this adjourned meeting, held August 5th, they 



Anno Pom 



liTg."" 1 War of the Revolutio7i. 95 

reported the following resolutions, which were accepted 
and adopted : 

" Whereas, the reinstating and supporting the credit of our paper 
currency is of the higliest importance, in respect to the political salva- 
tion of the United States of America, — and as it is the duty of all 
distinct bodies in the Commonwealth, as well corporate as individual, 
to exert their utmost efforts to carry into effect a purpose of such in- 
dispensible necessity, 

Therefore, we, the inhabitants of the town of Worcester, in town 
meeting assembled, do resolve, 

1st. That unanimity and fortitude in carrying into effectual execu- 
tion the measures so judiciously recommended and urged by the late 
Convention held at Concord, will be a specific remedy and antidote 
against the depreciation of our currency, render it of value, and give 
it a permanent establishment. 

2d. Resolved, that the harmony, unanimity and perfect coalescence 
of the different interests in the late Convention are a shining example, 
worthy of the imitation of this and our sister States, and a happy pre- 
sage of the effectual completion of the design in contemplation. 

3d. Resolved, that as our public affairs were in a great degree re- 
duced to the alarming state they were in, and the good people of these 
States involved in the greatest danger by men destitute of all prin- 
ciples except those of avarice and circumvention, 

Therefore, it is our duty to exhibit those who shall continue in the 
same line of behavior in the future, to the view of the public, that 
they may be subjected to the frowns of the community and branded 
with infamy. 

4th. As many of the respectable merchants and fair traders have 
retired from business, their places have been supplied by an augment- 
ed number of locusts and canker worms in human form, who have 
increased and proceeded along the road to plunder, until they have be- 
come odiously formidable, and their contagious influence daugerouslv 
prevalent. 

Therefore, Resolved, that such persons ought not to be admitted to 
bear a part in any mercantile consultations, but should be considered 
pestilential mushrooms of trade which have come up in the night of 
public calamity, and ought to perish in the same night. 

5th. Whereas, regrators in the public market, forestallers, engross- 
ers of the produce of the country, and higglers, have had a great share 
in dejireciating the public currency by their pernicious practices, 



96 History of Worcester in 



Anno Doni 
1779. 



Resolved, tliat all such jicrsons are guilty of a dangerous opposition 
to the measures necessary to promote the well-being and prosperity of 
this country, and ought to be subjected to the resentment and indig- 
nation of the public, whether their conduct proceeds from a general 
disaffection to public measures, and the Independence of these States, 
or from private motives of sordid avarice. 

Gth. And as there is another set of persons equally atrocious, and 
dangerous offenders against the safety of the country, viz : those who 
withhold corn, and other necessaries of life. 

Resolved, that whoever refuses to sell the surplus of the produce of 
his farm, and retains the same to procure a higher price, by means 
of an artificial scarcity, is very criminally accessory to the calamities of 
the country, and ought to be subjected to those penalties and disabili- 
ties which are due to an inveterate enemy. 

7th. Resolved, that we shall consider any fraudulent subterfuge, 
or artful evasion of the I'ules and arrangements that shall be made 
here in conformity to the measures recommended by the Convention, 
as equally criminal with a direct violation of the express letter of 
such rules and regulations. 

8th. And whereas, this town has chosen a large Committee of In- 
spection to join with, aid and assist the Committee of Correspondence 
in carrying into execution such rules and regulations as shall be made 
here, agi'eeable to the 2:)roceedings and resolutions of said Convention, 
we do resolve to support said Committee in the full and complete dis- 
charge of their duty in this behalf, so long as suoh measures shall be 
deemed necessary by the jDublic. 

9th. Resolved, that this town will elect delegates to meet in an- 
other Convention at Concoi'd, at the time and for the purpose by the 
late Convention recommended. 

10th. Resolved, that as this town is fully sensible of the necessity 
of the different interests harmonizing and acting in full concert with 
each other for the acccomplishment of the happy purposes aforemen- 
tioned, we will exert ourselves to the utmost of our power, to cement 
that union which so happily subsists between the fair and upright mer- 
cliaut and tlie honest yeomanry of the State." 

A County Convention composed of delegates from 
the several towns was held August 31st, 1779, for the 
prirpose of carrying into effect the measures recommend- 



Anno Doiu. 



inu""') War of the Revohition. 97 

ed by Congress to the inhabitants of the United States, 
and by the Convention at Concord to the people of this 
State. Thirty-eight towns were represented. An ac- 
count of their proceedings follows. 

" The delegates from a large majority of the towns within the 
comity of Worcester, in consequence of the late resolves, address, &c. 
of a State Convention held at Concord on the 14th ult., to manifest our 
hearty acquiescence in their wise and salutary measures there agreed 
upon, and as firm friends to the sacred and important cause of our 
distressed country, to use our most vigoi'ous efforts for removing as far 
as in us lies that cloud of imj^ending ruin, which at present hovers 
over our country by means of the amazing depreciation of our curren- 
cy, and the exorbitant prices of the necessaries of life ; having carefully 
and deliberately considered those important matters, have determined 
upon the following resolutions, which they conceive must have a ten- 
dency to answer the desired end, and hope they will aj^pear to eveiy 
friend of his country to be calculated for securing the political salva- 
tion thereof. 

1. Resolved unanimously (as our opinion) that from and after the 
publication of the pi-oceedings of this Convention, the following en- 
numerated articles of merchandise and country jjroduce be not sold with- 
in this county at a higher price than is hereafter affixed to them, nor 
any laborer or mechanic take a higher price for his or her service than 
is here specified, viz: Indian Corn, £3 12s. per bushel; Rye, £5 2s. 
per bushel; Wheat, £8 2s. ; Oats, £1 16s.; Beef, hs. 6g?. per lb., until 
the 1st of September next, and 4s. 6^. afterwards; Lamb, Mutton and 
Veal, 3s. 6c?. ; Butter, lis. ; Cheese, 5s. 6c?. ; Vegetables in proportion ; 
Cider, £4 per barrel ; Hay, £1 10s. per cwt. ; Sheep's wool, £1 4s. 
per lb., in the fleece of the best quality ; Flax, 12s. ; Laborers in Hus- 
bandry £2 14s. per day, in the best part of the season, and at other 
times in the usual proportion ; Women's labor £2 per week, weaving 
hs. per yd. wide tow cloth, and all other weaving in the usual propor- 
tion ; Teamsters, £1 per mile for carrying a ton gross weight and 
loaded, one way ; Horse keeping los. per night by hay, 8s. by grass ; 
Keeping a yoke of oxen, £1 per night by hay, and 10s. by grass ; 
Good common dinner, 13s. and all other victualling in the usual pro- 
portion ; Lodging 3s. per night; West India Flip, los. per mug ; 
AVest India Toddy, l.^s. per bowl ; New England Flip or Toddy, 12s. 
per mug or bowl ; Cider, 3s. per mug ; All other liquors in small 

12 



Anno Dou). 



98 History of Worcester in P°']?«i;.' 

quantities in the usual proportion ; Green Hides, 4s. per lb. ; Sole 
Leather £1 per lb. ; Men's best shoes, £6 per pair; Shoeing horses 
£4 all round with steel at toe and heel ; A narrow axe of the best 
quality £6 ; Best Salt £12 per bushel, fifty miles from market ; West 
India rum, £6 per gall ; New England rum, £5 2s. ; Good Yarn 
Stockings, £3 12.s. per pair. The labor of mechanics to be in the 
usual proportion to the labor of farmers." 

Resolutions were passed recommending to the inhabit- 
ants of each town in the county to fix the prices of the 
more minute articles of labor, produce, &c., and also 
recommending each town to choose a large Committee 
to see that these Resolves were effectually carried into 
execution, and to deal with every person who should be 
guilty of a breach of these Resolutions, as an enemy to 
this country. The utmost unanimity and cordiality 
marked all the proceedings of the Convention. Levi 
Lincoln, Joseph Allen, and David Bigelow were chosen 
deleo;ates to a Convention for framinfi; a Constitution. 

On the IGtli of August, c£892, l(3s, were granted to 
pay for the shirts, shoes and stockings to be procured 
for the soldiers. 

September 14th, a requisition was made for 31 blankets. 
Eight soldiers were raised September 21st, for the Rhode 
Island service at an expense of £610. Thirteen men 
were sent to join Gen. Washington on the Hudson Riv- 
er, and ,£2,515 were granted to reimburse the Conuuit- 
tee for money paid out for hire, bounty and mileage. 

In May, 1780, the town furnished 43 sets of blankets, 
shirts and stockings. 

On the 22d of May, Samuel Curtis was chosen Repre- 
sentative to the General Court. 

On the 29th, £290 were granted to procure men to 
do duty at Rutland, and £750 for the hire of soldiers. 



'^"im "■ ! ^^^^r of the Revolution. 99 

The Bill of Rigi;lits and Frame of Government was 
submitted to the people of the town, and after having 
been read paragraph by paragraph, it was " voted to ac- 
cept thereof, except the 3d and 20th articles in the Bill 
of Rights, the 4th article of the 1st section in chapter 
1st of the Constitution, the 1st article of the 3d section 
in the same chapter, the 9th article of the same, the 
7th article of the 1st section of the 2d chapter, and the 
3d and 7th articles of chapter 6th, which the town dis- 
approve of in their present form." 

In June, 22 men were furnished for six months' ser- 
vice. In July, 28 men were raised for three months, 
and five men for duty at Springfield ; twelve horses were 
provided for transportation and cavalry service. 

£30,000 were granted July 20th, for the purpose of 
paying the six and three months' men their advance 
money. 

The first election under the new Constitution took 
place in September, and in this town, resulted in a vote 
of 56 for John Hancock for Governor, and 20 for James 
Bowdoin. 

The town being required to furnish her quota of 
17,640 pounds of beef for the army, an assessment of 
£529 4s. was voted, October 23d. £92 ils. 3d. addi- 
tional were granted in November. On the 2d of De- 
cember a requisition being made for 29 men for the 
army, and great difficulty being experienced in obtain- 
ing them, the citizens were divided into 29 classes, ac- 
cording to the amount of taxes paid, and each class was 
required to furnish one man. Any who should refuse to 
contribute their share towards the amount required, 
were to be reported to the assessors, and the sums due, 
were included in the next general tax. By this means 
the men were procured. 



( Anno T>OBO. 



lOO History of Worcester in j ^"""si 

£1270 3s. 3d. were granted January 21,st., 1781, for the 
town's quota of beef, and on Feb. 9th, £339 9s. Sd. to 
discliare-e contracts made with the 6 and 3 months' men. 
June 22nd, a requisition was made for blankets, and 59 sets 
of articles of clothing. July 9th, £400 in gold or silver 
were voted for the purchase of beef in accordance with a 
requisition of June 22th. On the 23rd, £414 in hard 
money were granted for the purpose of raising soldiers. 
Aug. 6th, £197 10s. in gold were voted for the purpose of 
paying for the horses that the Selectmen had procured 
the year before, according to a resolution of the General 
Court. On the 13th, £116 5s. 4d. in gold were voted 
for the purchase of the town's quota of clothing. 

The people of Worcester feeling that they had been 
called upon for more than their just proportion of money 
and men in support of the war, instructed Samuel Cur- 
tis, Esq., Representative, on the 30th of August, to lay 
the following petition before the General Court. 

" To the Honorable, the Senate and House of Representatives of the 
Commonweahh of Massachusetts, in General Court assembled. 

The Petition of the Inhabitants of the Town of Worcester, humbly 
sheweth : — Tliat for several years last jiast, your petitioners have been 
called upon by Government, for larger sums of money, and greater 
numbers of soldiers than their just proportion, which they can make 
evidently to appear if your Honors would indulge them with an op- 
portunity therefor. Your petitioners have heretofore applied to your 
Honors for relief, but are informed that their omission in not return- 
ino- a valuation in the year 1778, bars them from a possibility of re- 
dress ; a circumstance so unfortunate to your petitioners as compels 
them, as well to vindicate themselves from any supposed contumacy 
towards Government as to open a way to their relief, to state that 
matter in its just light. The town knew nothing of the omission of the 
assessors with respect to the valuation before mentioned, until a dis- 
proportionate assessment led them to inquire the cause ; your petition- 
ers afterwards called ujion the assessors whose duty it was to have re- 
turned the valuation, to declare their motives for the supposed neglect, 



Anno Dom. 
1781. 



War of the Revohiiion. loi 



and were by them informed that the orders for taking a new valua- 
tion did not reach them in season ; your j^etitioners would beg leave 
to observe, that admitting the assessors were culpable, as it was with- 
out the consent or even knowledge of the town, yet in their apjDrehen- 
sion they have a full claim to be considered and relieved in the prem- 
ises. Your petitioners, therefore, again most earnestly pray your 
Honors to take their case into your wise consideration, and as they 
wish not to elude the burthen of the day, that a full inquiry may be 
made as to the justice of their complaint, and that they may experi- 
ence that equity which they apprehend their case entitles them to, both 
with respect to future taxes and those that have been made since the 
last general valuation, and as in duty bound, your petitioners shall 
ever pray." 

The surrender of Cornwallis at Yorktown, having 
taken place on the 19th of October, 1781, the Massa- 
chusetts Spy of Nov. 8th, announced the event in lan- 
guage at once extravagant and expressive. 

" On Friday evening arrived in this town a further coufirmatior:, 
with some of the articles of capitulation (as published under the Hart- 
ford head) of the surrender of Lieut. General Earl Cornwallis and 
his Whole Army, composed of the flower of the British troops in 
America, to the allied army, commanded by our illustrious General 
Washington, and the fleet of his Most Christian Majesty, commanded 
by Count de Grasse ; an event that must affect every patriotic Ameri- 
can with joy and pleasing sensibility. In consequence of this glorious 
intelligence, yesterday morning was ushered in by ringing of bells, dis- 
charging of cannon, displaying of colors, attended with the shouts of 
a grateful populace, and even Aurora advanced and unlocked the 
ruddy gates of the morning, with a sympathetic smile. At noon a 
number of gentlemen assembled and dined together at the Sun Tav- 
ern, after which the following toasts were drank, with the discharge of 
cannon. In the evening were illuminations, &c. 

1. The Sages of America in Congress assembled. 

2. America's Royal friend, his Most Christian Majesty. 

3. The Saviour of his Country, General Washington. 

4. The Illustrious Count de Grasse. 

f). The Victorious General Greene, and his band of Heroes. 

G. Our Brethren in the field. 

7. The Army and Navy of our brave Allies. 



I02 History of Worcester in r"i7S2"'"' 

8. JM:iy every American Soldier be a Hector .iikI his wife a Penel- 
ope.* 

9. The memory of those Heroes whose blood has nourislied our 
Independence. 

10. The friends of America throughout the Globe. 

11. May America ever breed a race of Heroes, whose actions will 
be sounded in the Trump of Fame. 

12. Ma}'' America support her Independence until the ravages of 
time shall annihilate the World. 

13. May meek-eyed Peace, supported by Honor and Glory soon 
fertilize the deserts of America." 



* Though we are sensible that Penelope was not the wife of Hector, yet her life 
and lier fortune were more consonant to our wishes than tliat of Adromache. 

The General Court having passed an Act imposing 
duties on spiritous Hquors, teas, &c., the town, througli a 
Committee consisting of Timothy Paine, Esq., Nathan 
Baldwin and Cornelius Stowell, instructed Samnel Curtis, 
Esq., Representative, to endeavor to have the Act re- 
pealed. 

Six men w^ere drafted for the army in March, 1782, 
this being the last requisition made on this town. 

A petition, signed by Ebenezer Lovell, David Moore, 
Asa Moore, Robert Smitli, Joseph Barber, Nathaniel Hi\r- 
rington, Nathaniel Brooks, Ephraim Miller, Moses Miller, 
and John Mow^er, was presented to the Selectmen on 
the 18th of May, praying that a town meeting might be 
called for the purpose of instructing Mr. Curtis, the 
RejDresentative, to endeavor to obtain a redress of griev- 
ances, which they considered they were laboring imder. 
In accordance with this petition, a meeting was held on 
the 8th of June, and the followino; instructions were re- 
ported and adopted. 

Worcester, June 8, 1782. 
To Samuel Curtis, Ksq. 

" Sir: We, reposing special trust and confidence in your great pa- 
triotism, conduct and fidelity, have elected you to rt'present us iti the 



Anno^Dom.j Wav of the Revolutio7u 103 

Great and General Court the present year ; notwithstanding our reli- 
ance on your wisdom and integrity, we think it necessary to instruct 
you relative to some particular matters of grievance, which we think 
we labor under, viz : 

1. That a Receiver General of this extensive Commonwealth 
should he a Justice of the Pleas in the county of Middlesex, hy which 
he is rendered unable to attend his office as Treasurer of the Com- 
monwealth, during the time he attends the courts in said county, by 
Avhich many persons have been, and others no doubt, will be put to 
considerable expense, besides loss of time and disap^^ointment, who 
have business with him as Treasurer. 

2. As there is a recommendation of Congress, that such officers as 
have been deranged, and not in actual service, have half jiay during 
life, if said recommendation has, or should take 23lace, we look upon it 
as a great grievance. 

0. That the members of the General Court, when acting as com- 
mittees of the same, have large wages over and above their pay as 
Representatives, is a grievance, which we justly comi^lain of. 

4. That Representatives having nine shillings per day, considering 
the scarcity of money, and the difficulty of obtaining thereof, being 
almost double what they formerly had, when money was much plentier 
and easier to be had, we think a grievance. 

5. We think it a great grievance that there has not been general 
settlement with the Treasurer of this Commonwealth, and w^ith all 
others who have been entrusted with the expenditure of public monies, 
and have not accounted for the same. 

G. We think it a grievance that the state of the Treasury is not 
known to the inhabitants of this Commonwealth, and would have you 
use your influence, that in future, the General Court transmit to every 
town, annually, an account of the expenditures of all public money. 

7. As the sitting of the General Court in the town of Boston, is 
attended with many inconveniencs, we think said Court's sitting in said 
town a grievance. 

8. That the sitting of the Court of Common Pleas, and General 
Sessions of the Peace, at the same time, much interfere with each other, 
by which means the county is put to the cost of paying many Justices 
many days, when much less time would answer the purpose as well. 

9. It has been represented that there have been large grants of 
land made to^ Alexander Sliepard and others, lying in the old Pro- 



I04 History of Worcester in {"^"its!]""' 

viiicc of Maine, that there has uot been a more strict enquiry made 
whether their claims do not far exceed their original grants, is com- 
plained of. 

These, Sir, are our sentiments as matters of grievance, which we in- 
struct you to use your utmost exertions to guard against, and obtain re- 
dress, as becomes an indivit]ual member of the General Assembly." 




^^^^^^^^^^^^ 


^^^^^^^^m 


^^^^^*>**'^*'''^^^p^^^^_3I*-^^( 


^^^^^^^s 



CHAPTER VII 



Slaven' abolished by decisiou of the Court at Worcester — Treaty of Peace — Celebratiou — The 
question of absentees and refugees considered. 



The subject of slavery had for a long term of years 
caused much uneasiness among the people. The hearts 
and minds of patriots and philanthropists had been quick- 
ened to a sense of the atrocious wickedness of man hold- 
ing property in man, and the jD^^blic conscience was 
gradually becoming susceptible to appeals for its aboli- 
tion. 

The traffic was never sanctioned in this Province, and 
under the Colonial and Provincial Charters the slave 
trade was deprecated as a disgrace to humanity. The 
holding of slaves was not general, being confined to the 
wealthier classes. 

In 1767, Joshua Bigelow, Representative to the Gen- 
eral Court, had been instructed to use his influence to 
" obtain a law to put an end to the unchristian and im- 
politic practice of making slaves of the human species 
in this Province." 

In 1774, it had been resolved in a County Conven- 
tion held in this town, " that we abhor the enslaving of 
any of the human race, and particularly of the negroes 
in this country, and that whenever there shall be a door 
opened, or opportunity presented for anything to be done 
towards the emancipation of the negroes, we will use 
our influence and endeavor that such a thing may be 
brought about." 
13 



io6 History of Worcester ill I'Th!!"'"' 

The new Constitution of 1780, bad in its first article 
declared that " all men are born free and equal." 

In 1783, final judgment was given. A citizen was 
charged with beating and imprisoning a negro servant 
whom he claimed as his slave. The public would not 
overlook the offence, and the case was tried and judg- 
ment rendered in Worcester. The defendant was found 
guilty and fined forty shillings. This decision was the 
downfall of the system. Many who had been in bon- 
dage continued as servants in the families of their mas- 
ters, and the institution died an easy death.'^' 

The preliminary treaty of peace having been signed 
in November, 1782, and a cessation of hostilities having 
been proclaimed in the American Army, on the 19th of 
April, 1783, preparations were made for a proper cele- 
bration in this town of the return of peace. The fol- 
lowing account is from the "Spy" of May 8, 1783. 

"The gentlemen of this town having fixed upon the seventh of this 
month for a celebration of tlie return of peace, after an eight years 
tedious war, a peace honorable to these States as having established us 
as the first civilized, Independent Empire in this new world, — yester- 
day morning was ushered in by the ringing of bells, the discharge of 
13 cannon, and the display of the American flag. At one o'clock, the 
gentlemen assembled at the Sun Tavern and dined ; after which, a 
number of sentimental toasts were given, each accompanied by a dis- 
charge of cannon. The day was spent with feativity, decency and 
good order." 

The following toasts were given : 

1. The American Constellation of Sages tliat enlighten the world. 

2. His Excellency General Washington : May his fame be im- 
mortal, as his virtues are unrivalled. 

3. The nations of Europe that have been friends to liberty. 

4. Love and honor to the blooming Sister States. 

5. Happiness to the American heroes that have enfranchised the 
world. 



*lJarry'.s Ilistoi-y of MassacIuisoUs. 



""liss!" } ^V(ir of the Revolution. 107 

6. jMomunents in our breasts to heroes in the bed of honor. 

7. IVIay Americans ever act worthy of the liberty they have estab- 
lished, and propagate heroes worthy of their sires. 

8. May the Freedom of America with the force of electric fire, 
give a fatal shock to despotism. 

9. May the auspicious dawn of peace conciliate our jarring senti- 
ments, and plant the olive branch in our hearts. 

10. Arts and Sciences. 

11. Agriculture and Commerce. 

12. May the Temple of Virtue reared in America, attract the ad- 
miration of mankind. 

13. Perpetual Peace, Independence and Happiness to the United 
States of America. 

At sundown, the bells ceased to ring, and thirteen cannon were 
again discharged. In the evening there was a ball, where the ladies 
made a brilliant appearance, and heartily joined their expressions of joy 
on this happy occasion. 

A letter was carried in May, from the Committee of 
Correspondence of the town of Boston, in relation to 
absentees and refugees. A Committee consistinur of 
Levi Lincoln, William Stearns, Joseph Allen, David Big- 
olow, Isaiah Thomas, Joseph Wheeler and Jonathan 
Rice, was appointed to draw up an expression of the 
sentim.ent of the town. This committee reported on the 
19th of May, and their report was accepted. It was 

1. Voted : That this town, with an ecpial and sacred regard to treaties 
of peace and alliance ; to the Resolves of Congress and the solemn Acts 
of the Commonwealth, passed from time to time for its preservation, 
safety and defence, and especially to those great and important princi- 
ples of Liberty and a Free Government, for which they have been 
struggling at the risk of their lives, will continue with spirit and firm- 
ness, their most vigorous efforts to render glorious, and secure from 
danger, interruption or diminution, the ends of their past exertions, 
Peace, Safety and Happiness. 

2d. Voted : That this town considers every country, in time of inva- 
sion, as having equally right to the assistance, the personal services 



io8 History of Worcester in \ ^"itss^""' 

and property ot" all its subjects in opposing the assailants. — that this 
country more than eight years since, was invaded and has been scourg- 
ed by a wai-, which for the jiurpose of reducing it to the servile subjec- 
tion of foreign domination, has been, by sea and by land, wasting, and 
by every species of barbarity, distressing its innocent inhabitants ; 
a war that has devastated and burned whole towns, and rendered 
wretched, and turned out thousands of virtuous Americans, destitute, 
despoiled and unprovided for by the Treaty of Peace, which leaves 
them dependent on the gratitude and generosity of their country ; a 
war promoted, encouraged and invited by those, who, the moment the 
bloody banners were displayed, abandoned their native land, turned 
])arricides, and conspired to involve this country in ruin, tumult and in 
blood. 

3d. Voted : That such traitorous conduct, upon every principle of 
policy and justice, in all ages and in all countries, would in the opinion 
of this town, operate a forfeiture of the conspirators' civil and politi- 
cal relations to their injured and betrayed country ; cut them off for- 
ever, from a standing therein, render them enemies and aliens, and 
justify those necessary laws, and that general voice of the people, by 
which they have been thus declared. 

4th. Voted: That considering, while the sword Avas slumbering in 
its scabbard, when this country was in the hour of quiet, and at peace 
with the world, only pleading and petitioning for its rights, for a free 
government, the sentiments , of the absentees, their principles, their 
language and their feelings were fixedly opposed to those rights, and 
to that freedom, they then preferring, and to evince the sincerity of 
that preference, engaged to risk their all for its possible attainment, 
a government totally inconsistent with the principles of the one we 
have established and for the destruction of which, they have been 
waging a cruel war ; that therefore this town cannot conceive it to 
be their duty, or their interest, ever to provide for the return of such 
ingiates, to naturalize them, or admit them to the privileges and im- 
munities of citizens. 

5th. Voted : That whereas the said absentees and conspirators, 
have at all times uniformly by their rei^resentations, adih'csses, and 
avowed principles, considered the subjects of these States, of our 
great and illustrious ally, and the treaties of alliance, amity and com- 
merce, as the proper subjects of abuse, calumny and reproach, the 
former as the deluded tools of a party spurred on to treason and rebel- 
lion ; the second as the cowardly machines of a IMonarcli, jicrHdionsly 



A»no^Dom.| Wav of tlic Revolutio7i. 109 

plotting the ruin of the former ; and the latter as originating from the 
worst of motives, delusive, treacherous, artful, insincere, and not to be 
adhered to, and have even attempted to seduce the subjects of these 
States to violate their faith, and those sacred treaties ; That therefore, 
in the opinion of this town, to admit persons of such principles, and 
such practices, to incorporate with, and reside among us, would betray 
the want of a due regard to a generous friend, who has been fighting 
and bleeding by our side, endanger the treaty and injure our national 
character. 

Gth. Voted : That whereas ^^ersons of the above description, have 
been of opinion, which they have been assiduous to propagate, that 
these States could find happiness or protection, nowhere but in a re- 
union with the Kingdom of Great Britain ; thatleft to themselves, they, 
would become the sport of each other, break to pieces and crumble 
into ruin ; that no calamity was more to be deprecated for our own 
sakes than Independence established, and no blessing more earnestly to 
be sought for than Independence desti'oyed ; And whereas, by a change 
of British councils, and British measures, there was a prospect of 
peace, they reprobated that change, and solicited for the purpose above, 
the continued utmost exertion of British power and British resources, 
and even after the commencement of the Pacific treaty, with malicious 
intention, equally hostile to both countries, dared to represent Amer- 
ica as the proper subject of an easy conquest ; That therefore, in the 
opinion of this town, our independence must ever be in danger of an- 
noyance from such persons, who can never have our confidence, friend- 
ship or society. 

7th. Voted : That the plea for the return of the absentees, of 
their becoming good subjects, increasing our numbers and our strength, 
is in the opinion of this town, groundless and fallacious, as it is im- 
probable that persons who have thus acted, that are thus principled 
and thus situated would, without any new reason, light or argument, 
alter their conduct, and at once reject those principles they have em- 
braced, and embrace those they have rejected, endeavor to support that 
government they have been struggling to destroy, cultivate that har- 
mony which they have been industrious to j^revent, prevent that dis- 
cord they have been assiduous to create, — quell those Riots and Unlaw- 
fid Assemblies which but of late were the foundation of their darling 
hope, — and endeavor to strengthen that friendship and alliance, which 
they have labored to weaken, and lied to asperse, and by a conduct the 
reverse of their past, become useful and good. 



Anno Pom. 



1 1 o History of Worcester in \ *" 'ij.^g 

8th. Voted : That agreeable to tlie Treaty of Peace, tliis town 
wishes no recollection of past disputes with Great Britain, no repeti- 
tion of past injuries, but the seeds of discord being excluded, that 
such a beneficial and satisfactory intercourse may be established be- 
tween the two countries, as to promise and secure to both, perpetual 
peace and harmony, which would be extremely diflicult, were those 
persons to reside among us, whom this country considers as the occa- 
sion of interrupting that intercourse formerly, and the c >usc of all 
their sufferings ; especially as these wretched beings have already be- 
gun a quari'el with that peace, and those who made it, which ter- 
minates a long, bloody and unnatural war. 

'Jth. Yoted : That, therefore, in the opinion of this town, it would 
be extremely dangerous to the peace, the happiness, the liberties, the 
interest and safety of these States, to suffer persons of the above de- 
scription to become the subjects of, and to reside in this government, 
that it would be not only dangerous, but inconsistent with justice, poli- 
cy, our past laws, the public faith and the principles of a free and inde- 
pendent State, to admit them ourselves, or have them forced upon 
us, without our consent. 

iUth. Voted: That in the opinion of this town, this Common- 
wealth ought with the utmost caution, to naturalize, or in any other 
way admit as subjects, a common enemy, a set of people, who have 
been by the united voice of this continent declared outlaws, exiles, 
aliens, and enemies, dangerous to its political being and happiness. 

11 til. Voted: That while there arc thousands of the innocent, 
peaceable, defenceless inhabitants of these States, whose j^i'operty has 
been destroyed and taken from them in the course of the war, for whom 
no provision is made, to whom there is no restitution of estates, no 
compensation for losses, that it would be unreasonable, cruel and un- 
just, to suffer those who were the wicked occasion of those losses, to 
obtain a restitution of estates they refused to pi'otect, and which they 
have abandoned, and forfeited to the justice of their country. 

1 2th. Voted: That wheret|s, persons of the above description 
have already made various attempts to introduce themselves into this 
government, and thereby to establish principles and precedents by 
which others might be admitted and restored to their forfeited estates; 
that this town will adopt every reasonable and consistent measure to 
prevent so great an evil ; and that it is their expectation and earnest 
retjuest of Samuel Curtis, Esq., whom they have chosen to re])resent 



Anno T)oul. 

1783. 



War of the Revolution. 1 1 i 



them at this critical period, that he will, with firmness and steadi- 
ness, continue his patriotic exertions for the above purpose ; that 
he will use his influence to have those good and wholesome laws touch- 
ing the matter, duly executed, and such others enacted as events and 
circumstances from time to time tnay render necessary ; that he will 
receive a copy of the above votes, to the principles of which, the prin- 
ciples of a sovereign and independent government, the principles of 
our free constitution and those great principles which have carried us 
triunii)hantly thi'ough a severe and bloody conflict, to these principles 
he invariably to adhere, and make them the governing rule of his con- 
duct, as what alone under heaven, has given energy to war, will give 
dignity to peace, and make life happy. 

loth. Voted: That it is the expectation of this town, and their 
earnest request of their Committee of Cori-espondence, Inspection and 
Safety, that they will with care and vigilance observe the movements 
and watch the conduct of our only remaining enemies, that until th5 
further order of government, they will with decision, spirit and firm- 
ness, endeavor to enforce and carry into execution, the several laws of tliis 
Commonwealth respecting these enemies of our rights, and the rights 
of mankind ; give information should they know of any obtruding 
themselves into any part of this State, suffer none to remain in this 
town but caused to be confined immediately for the purpose of trans- 
portation according to law, any that may presume to enter it. 

The Inclepeiidence of the States havlnc^ been acknowl- 
edtred and Peace declared, the task of reviewinci: the acts 
of the town and people of Worcester in the war of the 
Revolution, ends here. The position which this town 
assumed and maintained in those trying times, was one 
to which we of this day may look back with pride. 

Although Worcester was at that time a small provin- 
cial town, its situation in the heart of the Province, and 
the fact of its being the shire-town of a large county, 
enabled it to exert an influence far beyond that indicat- 
ed by the number of its inhabitants. Responding w^ith 
readiness to all requisitions for men and means, this town 
upheld the cause in its darkest hours, and when de- 



1 1 2 History of Worcester in | 



Anno Horn. 
1783. 



sponclency iind gloom prevailed in many portions of the 
land, and the struggle seemed a hopeless one, no word 
of discouragement or despair was left for us to record, — 
save from those who from the beginning were hostile 
to their country's cause, — but instead, was left a record 
of hearty coiiperation with every measure calculated 
to secure the Independence of the Colonies. 

Out of a total population of a little over 1900, Wor- 
cester furnished about 400 soldiers. They were found 
at Cambridge and Bunker Hill, at Quebec, Long Island, 
and on the Hudson, at Saratoga, Valley Forge, Mon- 
mouth and Yorktown, and on almost every field render- 
ed glorious by noble deeds in behalf of a country strug- 
o-lino; for its freedom. 

It is a matter of congratulation, that, although differ- 
ences of opinion existed in the minds of the men of that 
day, as to the justice or policy of the war, and those dif- 
ferences led to extreme measures in many cases, their 
descendants inherit no bitterness of feeling, and all are 
now striving with earnest and honest purpose to perpet- 
uate those institutions which were established through 
toil, suffering and blood. 




^f^iE^ieiEinsriDis:. 



TOWN OFFICERS FROM 1774 TO 1783. 



Town Officers, 1774. 

SELECTMEN. 

Timothy Paine, 
Benjamin Flagg, 
Thomas Wheeler, 
William Young, 
Josiah Pierce. 

Clark Chandler, Town Clerk. 

Hon. John Chandler, Town Trcas. 

COMMITTEE OF CORRESPONDENCE : 

William Young, 
Timothy Bigelow, 
John Smith, 
Joshua Bigelow, 
David Bancroft, 
Jonathan Stone, , 
Stephen Salisbury. 



Town Officers For 1775. 

SELECTMEN : 

Joshua Bigelow, 
Benjamin Flagg, 
William Young, 
Josiah Pierce, 
Jonathan Stone, 
Samuel Curtis, 
Samuel Miller, 

Nathan Baldwin, Town Clerk. 

Lieut. Nathan Perry, Town Trcas. 

COMMITTEE OF CORRESPONDENCE : 

William Young, 
Timothy Bigeluw, 
John Smith, 
Joshua Bigelow, 
David Bancroft, 
Jonathan Stone, 
Stephen Salisbury. 



Town Officers For 1776. 



SELECTMEN 



Benjamin Flagg, 
William Young, 
Josiah Pierce, 
Jonathan Stone, 
Samuel Curtis, 
Samuel Miller, 
David Bigelow. 

Nathan Baldwin, Town Clerk. 

Nathan Perry, Town Treas. 

COMMITTEE OF CORRESPONDENCE. 

Nathan Baldwin, 
Nathan Perry, 
Asa Moore, 
Ezekiel How, 
Levi Lincoln. 



Town Officers For 1777. 

SELECTMEN : 

Benjamin Flagg, 
William Young, 
Nathan Perry, 
Jonathan Stone, 
David Bigelo,w, 
Benjamin Stowell, 
John Kelso. 

Nathan Baldwin, Town Clerk. 

Nathan Perry, Town Treas. 

COMMITTEE OF CORRESPONDENCE : 

John Cunningham, 
William Stearns, 
Samuel Miller, 
Samuel Brown, 
Josiah Pierce. 



ii6 



History of Worcester in 



APPENDIX. 



Town Officers For 1778. 

SELECTMEN '. 

Joshua Bigelow, 
Ebenezer Lovell, 
Robert Smith, 
William Stearns, 
Nathaniel Brooks. 

William Stearns, Town Clerk. 

Dr. John Green, Town Treas. 

COMMITTEE OF CORRESPONDENCE. 

Joseph Barber, 
Nathaniel Hey wood, 
Daniel Bigelow, 
Jonathan Rice, 
William Dana. 



Town Officers For 1770. 

SELECT.MEN : 

W^illiam Stearns, 
David Bigelow, 
Robert Smith, 
Nathaniel Brooks, 
Thomas Wheeler. 

William Stearns, Town Clerk. 

Dr. John Green, Town Treas. 

COMMITTEE OF CORRESPONDENCE : 

Joseph Barber, 
Nathaniel Heywood, 
Jonathan Rice, 
William Dana, 
Jonathan Phillips. 



Town Officers For 1780. 



SELECTMEN 



David Bigelow, 
Dr. John Green, 
Jonathan Rice, 
Joseph Barber, 
Edward Crafts. 



Nathaniel Ileywood, Town Clerk. 
W^illiam Gates, Town Treas. 

COMMITTEE OF CORRESPONDENCE. 

Joseph Allen, 
Daniel Harris, 
David Chadwick, 
Thomas Knight, 
William Trowbridge. 



Town Officers For 1781. 

SELECTMEN : 

Samuel Miller, 
Nathan Perry, 
Wm. McFarland, 
Samuel Brown, 
John Gleason. 

Daniel Goulding, Tow7i Clerk. 

Nathan Perry, Town Treas. 

COMMITTEE OF CORRESPONDENCE : 

Joseph Allen, 
Nathan Baldwin, 
Isaiah Thomas. 



Town Officers For 1782. 

selectmen : 

Samuel Miller, 
Nathan I'erry, 
William McFarland, 
Samuel Brown, 
John Gleason. 

Daniel Goulding, Toicn Clerk. 
Nathan Perry, Town Treas. 

COMMITTEE OF CORRESPONDENCE. 



Joseph Allen, 
Natlian Baldwin, 
Isaiali Thomas. 



APPENDIX. 



War of the Revolution. 



117 



Town Officers For 1783. 



SELECTMEN : 



Nathan Perry, 
Joseph Allen, 
Joseph AV heeler, 
Samuel Brown, 
David Bigelow. 



William G. Maccarty, Town Clerk. 
Nathan Perry, Town Treas. 

COMMITTEE OF CORRESPONDENCE : 

Joseph Allen, 
Joseph Wheeler, 
Isaiah Thomas. 



JURY LIST FOR 177G. 

Copied from the original in possession of American Antiquarian Society. 

The following to serve as Jurors at the Superior Court of Judica- 
ture, Court of Assize and General Jail Delivery, namely : 



Ezekiel Howe 
Noah Jones 
Jonathan Stone 
David Bigelow 
Thomas Wheeler 
James Goodwin 
Samuel Woodburn 
Samuel Miller 
Silas Moore 
Stephen Salisbury 



Ebenezer Lovell 
Comfort Rice 
Josiah Pierce 
Peter Johnson 
William Dana 
John Fisk 
Amos Wheeler 
Jonatlian Phillips 
William Gates 
Asa Moore 



William Young 
Timothy Bigelow 
Samuel Curtis 
Nathan Perry 
Nathaniel Moore 
Benjamin Fiagg 
John Kelso 
David Bancroft 
Benjamin Stoweil 
Daniel Bigelow, Jr. 



The following to serve as Jurors in the Inferior Court of Common 
Pleas and Court of General Sessions of the Peace, namely : 



Thomas Nichols 
Joseph Barber 
Samuel Brown 
Lemuel Rice 
Thomas Drury, Jr. 
Jonathan Fiske 
Ebenezer Wiswall 
Samuel McCracken 
Reuben Gray 
William McFarland 
Moses Miller 
Daniel Beard 
Daniel Harris 
Thomas Eaton 
Jonathan Flagg 
Elisha Gurney 
James Barber 
William Johnson 
Isaac Willard 
Jonas Nichols 



Jonathan Lovell 
John Moore 
Robert Smith 
William Taylor 
Oliver Curtis 
James Trowbridge 
Solomon Bixby 
Jacob Holmes, Jr. 
Robert Gray 
Josiah Harrington, Jr. 
John Barber 
Nathaniel Brooks 
Solomon Johnson, Jr. 
Benjamin Whitney 
David Chadwick 
Samuel Clark 
Joseph Hastings 
Levi Houghton 
John Nazro 



Peter Boyden 
David Thomas 
Joseph Sprague 
James Moore 
Thomas Beard, Jr. 
Samuel Goddard 
Ephraim Miller 
Robert Crawford 
Richard Pratt 
Ebenezer Willington 
Joshua Whitney 
Simon Gates 
Joseph Wyley 
Jonathan Gleason . 
Cyprian Stevens 
Joseph Miller 
Asa Ward 
Samuel Bridge 
John Smith 



I 1 8 History of Worcester in { appendix. 

LIST OF VOTERS FOR MARCH MEETING, 1775, 

Qualifieil according to the Lust List of Estates by which the Taxes 

are made : 



Charles Adams 

NathM Adams 

,1 ovinia Bi^elow 

Daniel Bl<ielow, Jr. 

Samuel Bridge 

Timothy Bigelow 

Samuel Brown 

James Brown 

Luke Brown 

Josei)h Blair 

James Barber 

David Bigelow 

Samuel Brooks 

John Barber 

Thomas Brown 

Jona Bartlett 

Joseph Barber 

Nathaniel Brooks 

Daniel Beard 

John Beard 

Isaac Barnard, Esq. 

Solomon Blxl)y 

John Barnard 

John Chandler, Esq. 

Benjamin Chapin 

David Chadwick 

Joseph Clark 

Robert Crawford 

Samuel Curtis 

Rufus Chandler 

Jonas Cutting 

Gardner Chandler 

John Curtis 

Jacob Chamberlain 
do as Guardian to 
Daniel Heywood 

William Cowdin 

Sarah Chaniller 

John Chamberlain 

Clark Chandler 

Samuel Clark 

Chamberlain 

Edward Crafts 

Francis Cutting 

Joseph Dwelle 

Andrew Duncan 

William Campbell 

Elijah Dix 

William Dana 

William Elder 

John Eider 

Samuel Eaton 
Benjamin Flagg 
John Tufts 

Jona. Tufts 
David Fish 



Jonah Flatrg 
Rufus Flagg 
Elisha Gurney 
Palmer Goulding 
John Green 
AVilliam Gates 
Joiin Gates 
Jona. Gales 
James Goodwin 
Samuel Goddard 
Reuben Gray 
Isaac Gleason 
Reuben Gleason 
Jonas Gleason 
Robert Gray 
Simon (Jates* 
Jona. Grout 
John Griggs 
Phinehas Gleason 
Jfisiah Harrington 
Jacob Holmes 
Jacob Holmes, Jr. 
P"'rancis Harrington 
Joseph Hastings 
Ebenezer Holbrook, Jr. 
Jacob Hemmenway 
Ezekiel How 
William Harris 
Jonas Hubbard 
Noah Harris 
Nathaniel Healey 
Phinehas Heywood 
Josiah Harrington, Jr. 
Levi Houghton 
Noah Jones 
Sol. Johnson 
Micah Johnson 
Peter Johnson 
Israel Jennison 
William .Jones 
Edward Knight 
Thomas Knight 
John Kelso 
Paul Kingsbury __ 
•losiali Knight 
Daniel Knight 
Ebenezer Lovell 
.lonathan Lovell 
Nathaniel Moore 
William Mahon 
Silas JSIoore 
Asa Moore 
John Mower 
William Mahon 
J an": PS McFarland 
William McFarland 



Samuel Miller 
John Moore 
Samuel McCracken 
David Moore 
F>phraini Miller 
James Moore 
Moses Miller 
Samuel Mower 
Samuel Mower, Jr. 
Samuel Moore 
Joseph Miller 
Thomas Nichols 
John Nazro 
Jona. Orland 
Timothy Paine, Esq. 
William Paine 
James Putnam, Esq. 
Jona. Phillips 
Nathan Perry 
]\ichard Pratt 
Josiah Pierce 
Nathan Patch 
James Quigley 
Abraham Pice 
Jonathan Rice 
Thoma-i Rice 
Tyrus Rice 
David Richardson 
Zeb. Rice 
Lemuel Rice 
John Stearns 
P.enjamin Stowell 
Cornelius Stowell 
Mary Stearns 
Elisha Smith 
Elisha Smith, Jr. 
Robert Smith 
Ab. Smith 
('yprian Stevens 
William Jennison Stearns 
John Smith, 2d. 
Stephen Salisbury 
Joseph Sprague 
Othnicl Taylor 
William Taylor 
James Ti'owbridge 
Jabez Tatman 
David Thomas 
Naiium Willard 
James Willard 
Ebenezer Wiswall 
Li'vi Newton 
Joshua \V' hitney 
Amos Wheeler 
Ebenezer \\ illington 
Joseph Wiley 



APPENDIX 



War of ike Revolution. 



119 



rJeiiJarnin Whitney 
IJenj. Whitney, Jr. 
Mary Wailver 
.Sanmol Whitney 
.lolui Wal'ver 
Ebenezer Wliite 
Adam Walker- 
Asa Ward 
Samuel Woodburn 



William Young 
Daniel Boyden 
Darius Boyden 
David Bancroft 
Thomas Beard 
Thomas Beard, Jr. 
Peter Boyden 
William Bancroft 
Oliver Curtis 



James Hart, Jr. 
Jonas Nichols 
Gershom Rice 
Com lor t Hice 
Jonathan Stone 
Jacob Stevens 
Gershom Rice, Jr. 
Thomas Drury 
Thomas Drury, Jr. 



This List is copied from the original List, certified by '1 imothy Paine, Josiah Pierce, Benj. 
Flagg — Selecttnea, in podsession of Aiuericaa Antiquariau iocuny. 



ROLL OF CAPT. TIMOTHY lilGELOW'S COMPANY, 

in the Colony Service, on the Alarm of April 19, 1775. 



Timothy Bigelow, Captain. 

Jonas Hubbard, 1st Lieut. 

John Smith, 2d " 

William Gates, Sergeant. 

Nathaniel Harrington, " 

John Kanady, " 

William Dana, " 

John Pierce, Corporal. 

Cyprian Stevens, "■ " 

Joel Smith, " 

Nathaniel Heyvrood, " 

Eli Putnam, Drummer. 

John Hair, Fifer. 

Joseph Pierce, " 

Peter Boyden, Private. 

Benjamin Bennett, 

David Chad wick, 

Eli Chapin, 

Philip Donehue, 

Benjamin Estabrook, 

Josiah Flagg, 

Phinehas Flagg, 

Nathaniel Flagg, 

Josiah Gates, 

Thomas Gates, 

Jonathan Gleason, 

William Griggs, 

Edward Hair, 

Asa Harrington, 

John Hall, 

Artemas Knight, 

John Knower 

Ephraim Miller, 

William Miles, 

Joseph Morse, 

Jonas Nichols, 

Solomon Smith, 

Phinehas Ward, 

Ebenezer Wis wall. 



Josiah Pierce, Private. 

James Wiser, " 

Daniel Haven, " 

William Trowbridge, " 

John Cole, " 

Joseph Ball, " 

Jonathan Stone, " 

Samuel Wesson, " "^ 

Thomas Nichols, " 

Thomas Knight, " 

Samuel Harrington, " 

Thomas Lynde, " 

Joseph Cunningham, " 

Robert Crawford, " 

Moses Hamilton, " 

Samuel Bennett, '' 

Samuel Hemraenway, " 

William Walker, " 

Nicholas Powers, " 

Daniel Willington, " 

AVilliaia Curtis, '• 

William Treadwell, " 

Edward Swan, " 

Joseph Curtis, " 

Samuel Cook, " 

Samuel Duncan, " 
Asa Ward, 
Elisha Fuller, 

John Totman, " 

Joseph Thorp, " 

George Walker, " 

Thomas Drury, " 

Samuel Brown, " 

Adam Hemmenway, " 

James Taylor, " 

Joseph ]\liller, " 

Josiah Perry, " 



i20 



History of Worcester in 



APPENDIX. 



ROLL OF CAPT. BENJAMIN FLAGG'S COMPANY, 

in the Colony Service on the Alarm of April 19, 177a. 



Benjamin Fla<i;<T;, Captain. 
William McFarland, Lieut. 
Ebenezer Lovell, Ensign. 
Daniel Beard, Serg't. 

Benjamin Flagg, Jr., " 
Eleazer Holbrook, Private. 
Isaac Morse, " 

Abel Holbrook, 
Jacob Holmes, Jr. " 

Simeon Duncan, " 

Samuel Ward, " 

Eleazer Hawes, " 

Isaac Gleason, " 

Robert Smith, " 

Samuel Sturtevant, " 
Oliver Pierce, " 



Daniel Stearns, Private. 

Edward Crafts, " 

Samuel Gates, " 

David Richards, " 

Gershom Holmes, " 

Simon Gates, " 

Isaac Knight, " 

Ezekiel Howe, Jr., " 
Abel Flagg, 

Levi Houghton, " 

Samuel VVhitney, " 

Benjamin Whitney, Jr.," 

Josiah Harrington, " 

Jonathan Stone,- " 

Samuel Miller, Jr., " 



ROLL OF COMPANY FROM WORCESTER, 
Under Capt. Jonas Hubbard. 



Jonas Hubbard, Capt., Apr 

John Smith, 1st Lieut. 
William Gates, 2d " 
Nathaniel Harrington, Serg't 
John Kanady, " 

Jt)hn Pierce, " 

Cyprian Stevens, " 

Joel Smith, Corporal, Ap 

Nathaniel Heywood, " 
Jonathan Stone, " 

Samuel Wesson, " 

Joseph Ball, Drummer, 
John Hair, Filer, 

Joseph Pierce, " 
Peter Boyden, Private, 

Benjamin Bennett, " 

David Chadwick, " 

Eli Chapin, " 

Philip Donehue, " 

Benjamin Estabrook, " 
Josiah Flagg, " 

Phinehas Flagg, " 

Nathaniel Flagg, " 

Josiah Gates, " 

Thomas Gates, " 

Jonathan Gleason, " 

William Griggs, " 

Gide(m Griggs, " 

Edward Hair, " 

Asa Harrington, " 

John Hall, 

This Uoll is dntoJ Au-; 1, 1775. These men servea 3 months and 15 dajt 



sted, 




Enlisted, 


1 24. John Knower, 


Private 


, April 24 


Artemas Knight, 


" 


" 


Ephraim Miller, 


" 


" 


William Miles, 


i( 


t( 


Joseph Morse, 
Jonas Nichols, 


,i 


" 


Josiah Pierce, 


" 


" 


1 25. Solomon Smith, 


(( 


" 


24. Ithamer Smith, 


" 


K 


Phinehas Ward, 


(( 


" 


Ebenezer Wiswall, 


.( 


.i 


James Wiser, 


t( 


" 


Daniel Haven, 


«( 


" 


William Trowbridge 


» 


June 7. 


Eli Putnam, 


t( 


" 


John Cole, 


i( 


June G. 


Daniel Gale, 


(t 


Mayl. 


Samuel Gates, 


(( 


Apr. 25. 


Simon Gates, 


ti 


i( 


Simon Crosby, 
Uriah Eaton, 




May 1. 
" 3. 


John McGuire, 


(( 


" 1. 


Silas Henry, 


" 


" 1. 


Gershom Holmes, 


" 


Apr. 25. 


Elijah Hawes, 


<( 


t( 


Isaac Jones, 


(( 


May 3. 


Thomas Nichols, 


(( 


Apr. 2G. 


David Richards, 


(( 


" 25. 


Riciiard Stowers, 


i( 


(< (( 


Ebenezer Ephraim, 
Jonas Clark, 




May 1. 



APPENDIX 



War of the Revolution. 



121 



LIST OF MEN IN COL. THOMAS CRAFT'S REGIMENT 

OF ARTILLERY, 1775. 

Edward Crafts, 
Nath'l Nazro, 
William Dana, 



Captain. 

Capt. Lieut. 

1st Lieut. 



William Tread well, 2d 
William Trowbridge, Private. 



ALL FROM WORCESTER IN OTHER COMPANIES, 177o. 



Names. 
Timothy Bigelow, 
Samuel Fairtield, 
Samuel Brown, 
Daniel Johnson, 
Reuben Bancroft, 
William Stearns, 
Asa Stearns, 
William Stearns, 
Titus Smith, 
Robert Jennison, 
Samuel Stearns, Jr, 
Isaac Cutting, 
Phinehas Smith, 
Joseph Thorp, 
Edward Conner, 
Phinehas Smith, 
Samuel Stearns, 
Isaac Cutting, 



Rack. 

Majur, 

Private, 

1st Lieut, 

Corporal, 

Private, 



Regiment. 

Col. Jona. Ward's. 



Captain. 

Seth Washburne. 
Josiah Fay. 



Col. Eph. Doolittle, John Jones, 



Col. John Nixon, 

(I 

Col. Eph. Doolittle, 



Wm. Smith. 
Jo.seph BuUen. 
John Jones. 



ROLL OF CAPT. WILLIAM GATES' COMPANY, 

In CoL Jonathan Holman's Regiment in Chelsea Camp, New York, 



Sept. 4, 1776. 



William Gates, 
Nathaniel Heywood, 

* Jonas Nichols, 
Phinehas Flagg, 
Reuben Rice, 
Benjamin Chapin, 
Josiah Flagg, 
Ebenezer Wiswall, 
Thomas Gates, 
Gideon Griggs, 

* Joseph Boyden, 
*Jonathan Bancroft, 
Benjamin Cutting, 
Daniel Chadwick, 
James Case, 

Isaac Cutting, 
Nathan Cutler, 
Zebulon Cutting, 
Elisha Dunham, 
Richard Draper, 
Simeon Duncan, 
Benjamin Flagg, 

*Men from the South 

15 



Captain. 
2d Lieut. 
Sergeant. 



Corporal. 



Drummer. 
Private. 



Samuel Gates, 
Silas Gates, 
Vernon Gleason, 
Joshua Harrington, 
Samuel Hemmenway, 
Silas Henry, 
Isaac Kingman, 
Daniel Moore, 
John McGuire, 
*William Kenney, 
Daniel Stowell, 
Daniel Stearns, 
Noah Sturtevant, 
Peter Slater, 
Solomon Smith, 
William Harris, 
William Stearns, 
* William Stone, 
William Stowell, 
James Taylor, 
*Thomas Severy, 
Moses Wilder, 



Private. 



Parish, now Auburn. 



122 

Elisha Fuller, 
Daniel Gale, 
Noah Gale, 
Paul Gates, 
Phinehas Gleason, 



History of Worcester in 



Priv 



ate. 



Phinelias Rice, 
Pliinelias Smith, 
Keubeii Gleason, 
William Knight, 



I APPENDIX. 

Private. 



MEN FROM WORCESTER IN COL. THOMAS CRAFTS 
REGIMENT OF ARTILLERY, 177G. 



Edward Clarke Weld, 
James Kennedy, 
Elisha Smith, 
Uriah Eaton, 
David Gleason, 
Talman Allen, 
Nathan Johnson, 
Samuel Furbush, 
Ebenezer Hastings, 
Daniel Baird, 
Titus Smith, 
William Harrington, 
Noah Harrington, 
AVilliam Griggs, 
Samuel Griggs, 
John Gray, 
Joseph Thorp, 
Samuel Duncan, 
Edward Hair, 
W^illiam Shiel, 
Jacob Smith, 
Elisha Clark, 
David Clark, 
Jedediah Healy, 



Rank. 
Matross, 



5th Gunner 

Sergeant, 

Fifer, 

Bombardier, 

Matross, 



Sergeant, 

Corporal, 

Bombardier, 

Matross, 



Captain. 

Thomas Melville. 
James Swan. 



W^illiam Todd. 



Winthrop Gray. 
David Henshaw. 



LIST OF MEN IN COL. THOMAS CRAFT'S REGIMENT 



OF 



Job W^eeden, 
James Swan, 
Simon Crosby, 
Nathaniel Nazro, 
Samuel Duncan, 
Edward Hair, 
Eben. Hastings, 
Simeon Duncan, 
David Clark, 
Elisha Clark, 
John Hair, 
Jedediah Healy, 
Jacol) Suiith, 
Titus Smith, 
William Harrington, 
James Furbush, 
Noah Harrington, 



ARTILLERY, 


1777. 




Rank. 




Company. 


Corporal, 
Major, 
Matross, 
Capt. Lieut. 


Capt 

Lst. ( 
Capt. 


John Balch. 

CJompany. 
David Henshaw 


Sergeant, 






Bombardier, 






Gunner, 

(6 






Fifer, 






Matross, 






Fifer, 


Capt. 


William Todd 


Gunner, 






Matross, 







APPENDIX. 



War of the Revolution. 



123 



Samuel Giig^s, Matross, Capt. William Todd. 

William Grijj;gf5, - " _ " 

Edward Clarke Weld, Gunner, Capt. Thomas Melville. 

Alexander Wilson, Filer, " 

James Kennedy, Matross, " 

ROLL OF CAPT. DAVID CIIADWICK'S COMPANY, 

That marched to Hadley on an alarm at Bennington, nnder command 

of Lieut. Col. Benjamin Flagg, by desire of Brigadier 

General Warner, Aug. 28, 1777. 



Benjamin Flagg, Lieut. Col. 

David Chadwick, Captain. 

Ahel Holbrook, Lieut. 

Jonathan Stone, " 

Nathaniel Brooks, Sergeant. 

James Moore, " 

Josiah Harrington, " 

Phinehas Jones, " 

Jo'^iah Flagg, Corporal. 

John Moore, " 

Joseph Ball, Private. 

William Buxton, " 

Daniel Beard, " 

Jonas Bancroft, " 

Jonas Bancroft 2d, " 

Jona. Bancroft, '* 

Benjamin Bancroft, " 

Gershom Bigelow, Jr., " 

Timothy Barber, '* 

Isaac Chadwick, " 

John Crowle, " 

Elisha Clark. " 

Elisha Crosby, " 

Timothy Carter, " 

Jonathan Cutter, '* 

Wilson Chamberlain, " 

Oliver Curtis, " 
Eli Chapin, 

Benjamin Carter, '* 

Simeon Duncan, " 

Simeon Duncan, Jr. " 

Thomas Eaton, " 

John Elder, *' 

Nathaniel Flagg, " 

Samuel Gates, " 

Jacob Works, " 

Samuel Brown, Adjutant. 



Phinehas Gleasan, 
John Goodwin, 
Joseph Gray, 
Stephen Gates, 
James Gates, 
Joseph Gleason, 
Peter Jennison, 
Daniel Jennison, 
Daniel Heywood, 
Samuel Hemmenway, 
Joel Howe, 
Daniel Harris, 
Silas Harrington, 
Joshua Harrington, 
Jacob Holmes, 
Peter Hardy, 
Edward Knight, 
Hugh Kelso, 
John Moure, 
Samuel McCracken, 
William McFarland, 
Thomas Nichols, 
John Noyes, 
Josiah Perry, 
Jona. Phillips, 
Josiah Phillips, 
Nathan Patch, 
Lemuel Rice, 
David Richards, 
Josiah Rice, 
Robert Smith, 
William Snow, Jr., 
John Taylor, 
Joseph Thorp, 
Samuel AViley, 
William Young, 



Private. 



NINE MONTHS' MEN, 

Raised agreeably to Resolve of General Court, April 20, 1778. 
Thomas Betterly, Reuben Rice, 

John Warren, Joseph Ball, 

AVilliam Befterly, Benjamin Flagg, 

Samuel Newton, Amos Johnson. 

The above were drafted for service on the Hudson river. 



124 



History of Worcester in 



APPKNDIX 



MEN P^ROM W0RCESTP:R IN CONTINENTAL SERVICE 

IN 1778. 



Thomis Bettcrly 
John Warren 
William Betterly 
Samuel Newton 
Reuben Rice 



Joseph Ball 
Samuel Gates 
Elisha Crosby 
Joseph Gray 
William Gates 



Samuel Hemmenway 
Amos Johnson 
Edward Swan 
Richard Draper 



NINE MONTHS' MEN, DRAFTED IN 1779. 



John Hair, Capt. Lovell's Co. 

Edward Hair, " " 

Tliomas (ileason, " " 

Aaron Stone, *' " 

Reuben Wyman, '• " 

Dick Richards, " " 

Samuel Johnson, " " 



Samuel Whitney, Capt. Whitney's Co. 

Elisha Crosby, " 
Benj. Cutting, " 
Jacob Nash, " 

Paul Gates, »' 

William Mattel!," 



LIST OF SIX MONTHS' MEN 

Raised agreeably to Resolve of June, 1780. 

Benjamin Russell, Daniel Wiswall, 

Reulten Wilder, 

Amos Smith, 

Elisha Dunham, 

George Filmore, 

Reuben Hubbard, 

Samuel McHan, 

Jacob Nash, 



Samuel Jones, 
Asa Gates, 
Jacob Gurney, 
Bel a Noyes, 
Jeffrey Hemmenway, 
Levi Hubbard. 



LIST OF MEN FROM WORCESTER, 1780. 
Returned Dec. 27, 1781. 



Amos Smith 
Elisha Dunham 
George Filmore 
Samuel Mahan 
Renben Hubbard 



Asa Gates 
Samuel Jones 
Bela Noyes 
Jacob Nash 
Daniel Wiswall 



Benjamin Russell 
Jacob Gurney 
Reuben Wyman 
Jeffrey HemmenAvay 
Levi Hubbard 



SIX MONTHS' MEN FROM WORCESTER IN 1780. 



Elisha Dunham 
George Philraore 
Reuben Hubbard 
Samuel Mahan 



Ebenezer Marsh 
Robert Booth 
John Edmunds 
Francis Harris 
Israel Barrett 
Benjamin Johnson 
William McConkey 



Jacob Nash 
Daniel Wiswall 
Samuel Jonos 
Asa Gates 

Resolves of Dec. 2. 

Jupiter — negro 

John Spring 

Cato 

Jolin Hinds 

Ebenezer Fiske 

Altiaii Warren 

John (ileason 



Jacob Gurney 
Bela Noyes 
Jeffrey Hemmenway 
Levi Hubbard 



Elmer Jordan 
Thomas Gleason 
Joseph Reed 
Joseph Dwells 
Reuben A\'yman 
Thomas Morse 
George Filmore 



APPENDIX. 



War of the Revolution. 



125 



MEM. FROM ARMY BOOKS, 1780. 

Hank. Regiment. Rank. 

Francis Savage, Corp. Col. Bigelow's William Bacon, Pr. 



Col 



Regiment. 

Bigelow's 



Richard Williams, Pr. 
John Lane, " 

John Knower, Serg't 
John Bradley, Pr. 
Cato Dawes, " 

John Johnsun, " 

John Avis, " 



Uriah Johnsun, 
Silas VN^hitney, 
Simon Glasco, " 

Ebenezer Whitney, " 
Samuel Ball, " 

Robert Cook, " 

Seth Partridge, Corp. 



MEMORANDUM FROM ARMY BOOKS IN LAND OFFICE. 

INFANTRY. 





Rank. 


Company. 


Regiment. 










John Annisimug, 




Capt. Hunt's 


Col. Vose's 


Dec. 4, 


1778 


Dec. 31, 


1779. 


James Quigley, 




'■ Oliver's 


" Graton's 


Feb. 10, 


1777 


June 5 


1779. 


Pomp Benglasesses 




" 


" 


" 6, 


" 


July 22, 


1777. 


Thomas Wesson, 




" Smith's 


Col. Bigelow'a 


Aug. 19, 


" 


Dec. 31, 


1779. 


Samuel Priest, 




" 


" 


Oct. 1, 


" 


" 




Joseph Pierce, 


Q'rM'rS'g 


't " Pierce's 


" 


March 19, 


" 


March 31 




John Knower, 


Sergeant, 


" 


" 


July 14, 


" 


Dec. 31, 


" 


Uriiih Johnson, 


Drummer, 


" 


" 


4, 




" 




Cuff Annum, 


Private, 


" 




March 25, 


" 


Apr. 19, 


" 


John Bradley, 


" 


" 


" 


" 31, 


" 


Dec. 31, 


" 


Simon Glasco, 


" 


" 


" 


May 23, 


" 


" 


" 


John Avis, 


" 


" 


" 


March 31, 


" 


" 


" 


William Bacon, 


>' 


" 


" 


" 


" 


" 


'• 


Cato Dawes, 


" 


" 


" 


March 27, 


" 


" 


" 


Samuel Ball, 


'< 


" 


" 


May 17, 


" 


July 9, 


" 


William Waters, 


" 


" 


" 


Aug, 20, 


" 


Dec 31, 


" 


Ebenezer Whitney, 


" 


" 


" 


Sept. 14, 




" 


" 


Richard Draper, 


" 


" 


" 


" 2, 


" 


Jan. 31, 


1778. 


AVilliam Cowdin, 


" 


" 


" 


May 6, 


" 


Oct. 21, 


1777. 


James Lanman, 


" 


'■ 


" 


March 31, 


" 


Jan. 1, 


1778. 


John Johnson, 


<' 


Capt. Brown's 


" 


Apr. 15, 


" 


Dec. 31, 


1779 


Francis Savage, 


" 


" Martin's 


'• 


March 10, 




" 


" 






ARTILLERY. 










William Miles, 


Corporal, 


Capt. Tread well 


"s Col. Crane's 


June 21, !■ 


77. 


Dee. 31, 


1779. 


Peter Slater, 


Matross, 


" 


" 


April 6, 




" 


•' 


Nathan Johnson, 


" 


" 


" 


" "i 


' 


" 


" 


John Hunter, 


" 


" 


" 


Mav 7, 


' 


" 


" 


Aaron Smith, 




" 


" 


June 12, 




" 


" 


Daniel Johnson, 


" 


" 


" 


April 10, 


" 


Sept 11, 


1777 


John Fowle, 


" 


" 


" 


Jau'v 10, 


< 


Oct 7, 


" 


Elisha Dunham, 


" 


" 


" 


May 31, 


' 


Dec. 31, 


" 


Edward Swan, 


" 


" 


" 


17- 


■8. 


Oct. 21, 


1779. 


.Tohn Thompson, Charlton" 


" 


" 


April 18, 17 


'7. 


31 


" 


Richard Barnard, 


Private, 




Col Marshall's 


Dee. 9, 17 


79. 


Dec. 31, 


" 


Isaac Johns, 


" 




" Sprout's 


Julv 1, 


' 


" 


" 


Joseph Gamble, 


" 


'* 


" Putnam's 


Apiill2, 1 


777. 


" 


" 


Thomas Taylor, 


" 


" 


" " 


Jan. 1, 1' 


77. 


July 5, 


1777 


Uriah Eaton, 


Sergeant, 


Capt. Holden's 


" Nixon's 


March 1, 


' 


Dec. 31, 


1779. 


Solomon Smith, 


" 


" 


" " 


April 1, 


' 


July 6, 


1777. 


Elisha Gill, for Leicester, " 


Capt. Brown's 


" Jackson's 


Jan. 10, r 


'77. 


" 


" 


Simon Crosby, 


" 




" Sheldon's 


Jan. 1, 1 


"80. 


Aug 1, 


1780. 


Lemuel Longley, 


" 




" Lamb's Lt. 


Art. " 


' 


Mar. 16, 


" 



These Lists of Men in the Service, are taken from manuscripts of 
the late William Lincoln, in possession of the American Antiqua- 
rian Society. 



126 History of Worcester in { aitkn-dix. 

Quaint Advertizements of the Period. 



TO BE SOLD. 

BY John Nazro at his store in Worce?ter, West India and Njw England 
Ruin, Wine, Brandy, Geneva, Jamaica Spirit, Loaf and Br,j\vn Sugar, Rai- 
,sins,choic'e, French and Spanish Indigo, Cake Soap, Pimento, Utter, Madder, 
Coffee, Salt Fish, Fiour, &c., &c. 
(Spy, Aug. 16, 1775.) 

TO BE SOLD. 

BY William Huhbard & Nathaniel Prentice Peabody, at their Store in 
Worcester, near the Meeting-house, the following Articles for money only. 
viz : West India and New^ England Rum, by the Hoj^sliead or Barrel, Geneva 
by the Case : different Qualities of Brown Sugar by the Hogshead, Barrel, Hun- 
dred, or Single Pound ; good French Indigo by the Dozen, Pound or Ounce ; 
Molasses by the Hogshead,, choice CoflPee by the Pound, Dozen, Hundred 
or Thousand AV^eight ; a few squares of 7 by "J Window Glass ; a few Pieces 
of Coarse Broad Cloth by retail ; German Serges, Shalloons and Tammies 
by Retail ; also Crimson Broad Cloth and Crimson everlasting suitable for 
VYomen's Cloaks ; Red Half-Thicks by the yard, and good Writing Paper by 
the Quire. 

(Spy, Sept. 29, 1775.) 

I THOMAS, the late publisher of this paper, is very sorry that so many 
I of bis customers are so unkind as to neglect paying him the several small 
sums due to him for services already performed. He has made several jour- 
neys to Worcester to receive his just dues, but to his surprise finds the old 
proverb verified, " out of Sight, out of Mind." He once more earnestly begs 
that those who are indebted to him for Newspapers, &c., (if it is but two 
pence,) would immediately pay their i-espective balances to Mr. Daniel Big- 
elow, Jr., one of the publishers, as so many small sums when collected to- 
gether will be of essential service, and the want of which will be a great 
detriment to Isaiah Thomas. 

Boston, July 22, 1776. 
(Spy, July 24, 1776.) 

ALL persons indebted to John Nazro, either by bond, note or book, are 
earnestly desired without delay to call at his store and make payment 
thereof to said Nazro; the present situation of affairs, and the still darker 
prospect, being sufficient to influence every honest man to have nothing of 
that nature undone that can be done. 
(Spy, Aug. 7, 1776.) 

rpAKEN UP. A red Cow, supposed to be 6 years old, with a White Tail 
\_ and Belly and some in her Foreiiead, branded on tiie left Horn, and half 
crop on her left Ear. Tlie owner may iiave her again by paying charges and 
applying to Jonathan Lovell. 
(Spy, Nov. 27, 1776.) 



APPENDIX. I IVar of the Revolution. 127 

TO BE SOLD. 

A SPRIGHTLY, healthy Negro Wench , 20 years of age, born in the Country, 
and can do any kind of housework. She will be a valuable servant in 
a Country tavern, as she has lived in one several years. 

Enquire of the Printer. 
(Spy, Dee. 11, 1776.) 



A 



TO BE SOLD. 

VERY likely negro man about twenty-one years of age, has had the 
small pox, and well understands the farming business. 

Enquire of the Printer. 
(Spy, Feb. 20, 1777.) 

FLAX SEED. Six shillings per bushel given for Good Merchantable 
Flax Seed, by Elijah Dix, at his Store in Worcester. The crop of Flax 
being very great this year, the preserving of the Seed will be a great service 
to the State. It is to be hoped that a regard for the interests of America and 
a handsome price for the seed will be a sufficient inducement to those who 
have any to part with. It is collected for the public service only. 
(Spy, Sept. 4, 1777.) 

ADVERTIZEMENT EXTRAORDINARY! 

"ADE their Escape from the custody of the Subscriber, on the niglit of 
the twenty-fifth, two Barrels of Sugar ; supposed to be inimical to all 
Sourness. Said Sugar is of a dark complexion, and about Four Hundred 
Weight in Quantity. Whoever will apprehend said Sugar and imprison it 
or otherwise secure it so that the subscriber may have it again, shall be en- 
titled to a reward of four Guineas and all necessary charges paid by me. 

Lewis Allen. 
(Spy, Feb. 5, 1778.) 

HEART AND CLUB GERMAN STEEL. 

A QUANTITY of Genuine Heart and Club German Steel may be had at 
Samuel & Stephen Salisbviry's Store in Worcester, if applied for soon. 
Also, a Quantity of Bar Iron, English Steel, Choice Brandy, New England 
and West India Rum, Brown Sugar, Coffee, Chocolate, Raisins, Rice, Ginger, 
Pepper, Allspice, Redwood, Logwood, Alum, Copperas, Brimstone, Powder 
and Shot, &c. 

(Spy, Feb. 19, 1778.) 

TAKEN UP. A few days ago, between the Meeting-house in Worcester 
and the Meeting-house in Leicester, a certain matter or thing, which the 
connoisseurs in Female head-dressing term a cushing, but probably it might 
be designed for some other purpose. It has something of an appearance like 
a wig, but if it is a wig, it is a female one ; this mass has been penetrated, 
and its inward part found to be woolly, the top part of it. framed with iron, 
and its outward coat hairy and rough. The iron, wool and hair of which 
this curious machine is chiefly composed is supposed to be worth consider- 
able. The person who has lost it, proving her or his property, and paying 
charges, may have it again by applying at the Printing Office. 
(Spy, Nov. 18, 1779.) 



128 



History of Worcester in 



} APPENDIX. 



TO BK SOLD. 

A LIKELY Negro Woman, about 30 years of age, understands all kinds of 
household work, and is an excellent Cook. 
(Si'Y, Aug. 13, 1778.) Enquire of the Printer. 



NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN to all aspiring heroes, who have a spirit 
above slavery and trade, and are willing to become Gentlemen Soldiers 
by bearing arms in the 5th Massachusetts Regiment of foot in the service of 
the United States of America, that by repairing to Ensign Benjamin Gil- 
bert, of Brookfield, they will be kindly entertained as recruits; shall enter 
into present pay and good quarters, and when they join the regiment, shall 
receive new clothes, arms and accoutrements, and everything else to com- 
plete a gentleman soldier. Rufus Putnam, Col. 
Brookfield, April 21, 1780. 

(Spy, April 27, 1780.) 



PRICES OF PEWS IN MEETING HOUSE, 1763. 



No. 1— £8. 

" 2— £9. 

" 3— £8. 

" 4— £4 10s. 

" 5— £5. 

" G— £6. 

" 7— £G 12s. 

" 8— £G 12s. 

i« 9— £5 10s. 

" 10— £G 12s. 

" 11— £G 12g. 

" 12— £6 12s. 

" 13— £5 10s. 

" 14— £8. 

" 15— £9. 

'• 16— £9. 

" 17— £7. 

" 18— £9. 

" 19— £9. 

" 20— £8. 



No 



21— £5 lUs. 
22— £6 13s. 
23— £G 12s. 
24— £G 12s. 
25— £5 10s. 
26— £G 12s. 
27— £6 12s. 
28— £6. 
29— £5, 
30— £4 10s. 
31— £8. 
32— £9. 
33— £8. 
34— £0 10s. 
35— £5 15s. 
36— £5 15s. 
37— £5 15s. 
38— £6. 
39— £5 5s. 
40— £5 5s. 
41— £5 153. 



No. 42— £7 10s. 

'• 43— £7 10s. 

" 44— £8. 

" 45— £8. 

" 40— £8. 

" 47— £8. 

•' 48— £6. 

" 49— £6. 

" 50— £ . 

" 51— £8. 

" 52— £7 10s. 

" 53— £7 10s. 

" 54— £5 15s. 

«' 55— £5 5s. 

" 56— £5 5s. 

" 57— £6. 

" 58— £5 10s. 

" 59— £5 15s. 

" 60— £5 15s 

«' 61— £6. 



